I appreciate this teaching about the heart while not neglecting God’s desire to see clean hands. I was just thinking about the importance of doctrines again. It seems that Jesus wasn’t diminishing the external signs of purity, but emphasizing the necessity of inner purity.
Joyce, great point! It reminds me of a similar comment Jesus makes about tithing:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." (Matthew 23:23)
As you said, Jesus is not diminishing the external practice of tithing (he says they should neglect it), but he is aiming to refocus their efforts and attention on "the weightier matters of the law" (justice, mercy, and faithfulness).
Wow, so true about the external vs internal.
Joel 2:13a has the same concept, God wants true mourning of the heart and not just external show.
Yes and amen! Excellent example of another OT passage that makes this point.
I appreciate this teaching about the heart while not neglecting God’s desire to see clean hands. I was just thinking about the importance of doctrines again. It seems that Jesus wasn’t diminishing the external signs of purity, but emphasizing the necessity of inner purity.
Joyce, great point! It reminds me of a similar comment Jesus makes about tithing:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." (Matthew 23:23)
As you said, Jesus is not diminishing the external practice of tithing (he says they should neglect it), but he is aiming to refocus their efforts and attention on "the weightier matters of the law" (justice, mercy, and faithfulness).