May 29, 2011: Clean From the Inside – Michael Hidalgo

Why is it that religion can often get in the way of faith? The religious are so concerned that the disciples are eating with “common” hands, meaning their hands are unwashed and therefore unclean. Why would Jesus then, who is somewhat responsible for this, allow them to do this? Those who question Jesus are curious, if not, outright angered.

Jesus delivers a stinging rebuke in quoting the prophet Isaiah claiming that outwardly they have it all together, but inwardly they are falling apart. This is because they have substituted rituals, rules, regulations, and external observance for the true heart of religion. Their religion got in the way of their faith.