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The Law of Love

Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked:  “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?  They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” 

The Pharisees were one of several parties within Judaism at the time of Jesus.  They were known for their attachment to the law or Halakhah—a comprehensive set of religious rules and rites derived from the Torah that governed every aspect of Jewish life. 

For the Pharisees, one could not be a good and faithful Jew unless one strictly followed the law.

It appears, however, that Jesus’ disciples are not following the law as they should, by not washing their hands before they eat a meal. 

And so, the Pharisees confront Jesus, expecting him to rebuke his followers.  To their shock, he does not rebuke his disciples, but rather, the Pharisees themselves:  “It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” 

In other words, in their self-righteous adherence to the law and readiness to judge and condemn others, the Pharisees had lost sight of the true essence and purpose of the law.

In doing so, they turned what was intended to be an icon (a window to God) into an idol (a substitute for God).

The law was intended to be a tool to help the people live virtuous lives and bring them closer to God, but the Pharisees weaponized the law and turned it into a self-serving instrument to judge and exclude those they deemed deficient.

Now Jesus does not reject the law. He does not say it is unimportant.  Indeed, at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus asserts: “I came not to abolish but to fulfill the law.” 

But to fulfill the law is not to go around judging and condemning others for their failure to follow the letter of the law.

Rather, it is to exhibit in both words and actions, the essence of the law—to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love your neighbour as yourself. 

In their self-righteousness, the Pharisees had lost sight of what is really important.

All too often, we can be like the Pharisees—going around judging people because they do not live up to our standards or expectations of how things should be done—forgetting the heart of what God requires of us (the law of love) and that judgement belongs to God alone. 

Norman+

Reflection on Matthew 15.1-2, 10-14

 

Art Work:
Textile Cross Stitch
B. Evans