The Life of a Christian Who Has Grasped the Essence of the Word

The Pharisees took issue with the disciples for eating without washing their hands, placing human tradition above the commandment of God. Fixed on outward rites of purification and the keeping of rules, they had lost the very essence of the law: love for God and love for one’s neighbor.

Jesus rebuked their hypocrisy, for they honored God with their lips while their hearts were far from him. Worship that teaches the commandments of men as doctrine is in vain. True faith is found not in formal ordinances but in a pure heart and in love.

To evade the duty of supporting one’s parents under the pretext of Corban is to make the commandment of God void. Faith does not merely change outward conduct; it must be a life that loves God, cares for souls, and grasps the essence of the Word.