A Warning on Worship

Matthew 15 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me,    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Jesus had had it with the stupid questioning and plotting of these religious people.  Though they were always hanging around the temple, making sure that everyone else did things right, their hearts were not hearts of worship.  Going to church is great.  Being an active participant with God's people is something God designed for us to do as a part of Christ's Body. But sometimes we can use our activity as a cover for what is deep within: a desire to be seen as worshiping, when we are still number one in our lives.  It's not that worship is bad; it's that worship is a lifestyle that affects each and every relationship, including and especially those that come second only to our relationship with God.  Let's worship Him not just "at church", but where we spend much more time - in our homes.