An unnamed Pharisee asked Jesus to his home for lunch.  Jesus went to this man’s house and reclined at his table.  How surprised the Pharisee was that Jesus did not ceremonially wash before the meal.  Luke 11:37-38

What did the Lord Jesus say to this surprised Pharisee?
“Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.  You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?”  Luke 11:39-40

Jesus unmasked the appearance of godliness.  He exposed the motives of taking from others (robbery) and wrong desires, sin-filled motives.

Jesus pointed to the Creator God who established the rituals which pointed to His Messiah, the Lord Jesus.  And Jesus was right there with the Pharisee!  He was the Messiah which the Pharisees “ceremonially” acknowledged but their motives were self-centered.  Jesus, God’s Anointed One, the Messiah, was not recognized.

What about today?  Do we look “good and righteous” on the outside?  But inwardly, how do we look from God’s point of view?  Do we observe the rituals without Jesus?

~ Take it to heart ~

Pure, godly motives will control our actions.
Pure, godly motives will point us and others to the Lord Jesus Christ, the author of our faith.