Matthew 23:25-26 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
The Gregorian calendar that divides the year into days and months has divided history into BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini). The arrival of Jesus revamped both the spiritual and the physical realm. Before the arrival of Christ, the law Mosaic instituted ceremonial cleansing and circumcision as a conduit of purification. Overtime, the law became ritualistic and legalistic. Jesus put an end to circumcision and ceremonial cleansing. We wash and clean our hands for sanitation and not for sanctification. Rituals can only make us religious but Jesus came to restore the relationship with the Father.
Before Christ, worship included blood sacrifices and other traditional practices, however, Anno Domini, after the year of the arrival of Jesus Christ true worship is only in spirit and in truth. Ritualistic practices only cover up the sin, transgression and iniquities. Before Christ, sins were condoned but there was no redemption until Anno Domini. Jesus not only forgave our sins but also canceled our spiritual indebtedness that the blood of animals could not remove.
Only the voice and prayers of the worshippers who seek God in spirit and in truth will be heard in heaven. Custom, clothing or ceremonial cleansing does not purify us. Traditional practices do not sanctify us. We can do the right things for the wrong reasons but will not be authenticated by heaven.
Sanitation vs Sanctification:
1. Transformation: The arrival of Jesus put an end to traditionalism and paved the way for transformation of our mind and our soul.
2. Conversion: The conversion is not a change of religion but the restoration of the relationship with the Creator.
3. Sanctification: Our spiritual maturity is measured by the sanctification of our heart. Our outward clothing, cassock or cleanliness cannot bring us close to the Saviour. Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees who were ceremonially clean with long flowing white robes yet were full of egotism and self-indulgence.
The arrival of Jesus ended ritualistic practices and restored our relationship with the Father.
Prayer: Jesus our Saviour, help me to be cleansed and sanctified inside out. Amen.
Leave a Reply