Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Matthew 15:2, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

Background

We had dinner with some friends recently, and the wife told this story about these intentionally humorous yet pointed juxtapositions. What they entailed were people living in third world conditions complaining about the problems and aggravations that are so common to the most prosperous of societies. I don’t recall exactly the stories she cited, but one example did involve an extremely underweight man who lives in a mud hut griping to the interviewer about the hassles of losing his cell phone signal. Or another impoverished individual might be complaining about running out of his favorite flavored coffee creamer or the painful sensation of mixing ice cold water with minty chewing gum. You could see how these might strike a chord with some Americans. Nothing like a bony man wearing nothing but a piece of animal skin around his waist to highlight the trivialities that can alter the mood or rustle the feathers of us who have so much.

Application

Those third world characters who were acting out our first world pamperings must have snickered much like I imagine Jesus did when the educated and prosperous scribes and Pharisees confronted Him about hand washing traditions. Could someone really complain about not being able to call or text for a minute or two of their lives when their homes (which were made of wood and brick rather than straw and mud) were filled with clothes and food and furniture? Could a different flavor of coffee really compare to someone who drinks, bathes, and washes their items in the same water? So how could dirty fingers stand out when the scribes and Pharisees were slapping God in the face with their pristine hands? I know I’ve elevated things above what’s truly important. I’ve lost my cool at home over silly messes and messed up schedules. I’ve sought clean hands with an unclean heart. It’s a pointed juxtaposition, but it’s not very humorous. I imagine you’re not laughing much, either.

Charge

As we seek Him today, let the forgiveness of Easter carry over into our traditions of Monday. Let your focus go way beyond the mess or the spills or the inconvenience.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words