The Tradition Police Pharisee

This week, Jesus confronts the Pharisee who prizes rules, traditions, and “how” we do things over the love of people. When love is missing, our holiness becomes hallow and the “what” we do lacks a Godly “why”. In this confrontation, Jesus is restoring the Sabbath to its original purpose. The Sabbath was a space for rest, renewal, healing, compassion, and the joy of being human in God’s presence. In a desire for control and power, the Pharisees made it all about their own personal “what’s” & “how’s” and completely left behind the true “why” of the gift. This week, Jesus confronts that spirit by asking…what traditions have we allowed to become more important than the command to love God and love others?