When Devotion Becomes a Disguise
Read: Matthew 15:3–9
Jesus answers the Pharisees’ accusation with a question of His own, asking why they set aside God’s commandment for the sake of their tradition. He then lays bare a loophole called Corban. By declaring his wealth “devoted to God,” a man could shield it from the needs of his aging parents, and the arrangement carried all the appearance of piety while quietly annulling the command to honour father and mother. This is what makes religious hypocrisy so treacherous: it rarely looks like sin, and far more often it looks like devotion.
Jesus calls them “hypocrites,” a word borrowed from the stage, describing actors who play a part behind a mask. Quoting Isaiah, He names the tragedy at the centre of their worship: lips that draw near while hearts remain far away. Their worship was “in vain” not because it was insincere in form, but because it never reached God and never changed them.
If we are honest, we recognise ourselves here. We have sung every word of a hymn while our minds wandered to lunch, and we have prayed while composing a to-do list. Notably, Jesus does not tell them to repair their lips. He diagnoses the distance of the heart.
Reflect: Where have you used something spiritual to avoid something obvious, such as reconciling with a brother or showing up for your family?
Pray: Lord, I am weary of pretending. Draw my heart near to You.
▶ Watch the full sermon: Clean Hands, Pure Heart