In Vain They Worship Me

"And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." (1)

Jesus here was speaking to religious leaders of His nation. Scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus questioning why "His disciples transgress the traditions of the elders?" because they did not wash their hands when they ate bread. Jesus said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother', and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"--then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " (2)

The Scribes and Pharisees ground of complaint was Christ's disciples "disregard of traditional precepts that encumbered the law of God. These traditions were professedly designed to guard the observance of the law, but they were regarded as more sacred than the law itself. When they came in collision with the commandments given from Sinai, preference was given to the rabbinical precepts.

Among the observances most strenuously enforced was that of ceremonial purification. A neglect of the forms to be observed before eating was counted a heinous sin,.. The rules in regard to purification were numberless. The period of a lifetime was scarcely sufficient for one to learn them all. The life of those who tried to observe the rabbinical requirements was one long struggle against ceremonial defilement, and endless round of washings and purifications. While the people were occupied with trifling distinctions, and observances which God had not required, their attention was turned away from the great principles of His law...

"To the multitude, and afterward more fully to His disciples, Jesus explained that defilement comes not from without, but from within. Purity and impurity pertain to the soul. It is the evil deed, the evil word, the evil thought, the transgression of the law of God, not the neglect of external, man-made ceremonies, that defiles a man." (3)

1. Matthew 15:9.
2. Matthew 15:3-9.
3. Desire of Ages, pp., 396, 397.