Our Quick Devotion this morning comes from Matthew 15:1-9 NKJV
Summary: It’s about a relationship with Jesus and following him, not traditions and commandments of men.
15 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,
2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’
5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—
6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
Question & Challenge:
1. Is there an area in your life where you might be getting caught up in expectations of people, traditions, etc. that might be getting in the way of simply following Jesus from the heart?
2. While honoring our parents isn’t the main point of this passage it does provide a great opportunity to ask ourselves, at any age, if we’re honoring our parents and showing them love and respect regardless of whether you feel they deserve it or not.