Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 15; Mark 7.

After condemning the Pharisees for worshiping God in vain and elevating the commandments of men to the same status as the commandments of God, Jesus told them they were experts. Unfortunately, they were not experts in an area that was any good.

“He was also saying to them, ‘You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition’” (Mark 7:9).

Jesus was certainly not praising them for their expertise here. They had become highly adept at violating the commandment of God while still appearing to be religious. Sadly, many people today do the same thing. But notice how the Pharisees did this.
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Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 4; Luke 4-5; John 1:15-51.

After Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him (Luke 5:27), Levi held a reception for Him, inviting his fellow tax collectors and others. This drew the scrutiny of the  Pharisees and the scribes.

“And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd  of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance’” (Luke 5:29-32).

There was a simple reason why Jesus associated with “tax collectors and sinners.” He was not encouraging or condoning sin, but as “a physician” He was trying to heal them of their sin sickness.
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