Hammers and Saws

Then (Jesus) said, ‘Are you also still without understanding?’” Matthew 15:16

The Pharisees had missed the point once again. They knew the “Law” so well, it was always easy to find offenders. This time those irreverent disciples of Jesus ate before washing their hands. Jesus, as He always did, confronts them with their own hypocrisy, pointing out their own disobedience to a far greater law.

The Pharisees skirted their financial obligation to their parents by declaring their money, “Corban” or “dedicated to the temple”. They came up with their own personal financial rule-of-thumb to circumvent the written Law that had come directly from God. They no longer honored their mothers and fathers when they used this new rule as a way of escaping responsibility of caring for them later in life.

So far so good. Jesus follows this up with a short parable to illustrate what truly defiles a person. “Listen and understand:, He said. “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”

The Pharisees loaded their barrels to shoot down the disciples’ lack of ritual cleanliness; they did not wash their hands before eating. Jesus says that whatever goes in our mouths enters our stomach and goes into the sewer. The real damage is done by what comes “out” of our hearts: evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, etc. “These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” (Matthew 15:20)

What strikes me, though, is Peter’s question, and apparent confusion about all this. His misapprehension should not surprise us, though; the Pharisees’ view was the prevalent and proper belief system at the time. For Jesus to call them “blind guides of the blind” would be like telling a Catholic that the Pope is misguided, or an evangelical that (fill in your favorite Christian super-star Pastor) will lead you astray if you keep listening to him! Imagine it. Get inside what Jesus is saying for just a few minutes. Those who were lifted up and assumed to be the godliest among them were actually blind guides!

It should be no surprise that Peter wants an explanation. Jesus does give him an answer, but not until he upbraids Peter for “still not understanding”. He sounds just like a parent who has explained the same thing for the 50^th time and still receives a blank look from their child.

And more often than I would like, I think He wonders the same thing about me. “Are you also still without understanding?” It is as if He tells Peter, “Look, I get it that the Pharisees won’t let go of their worn out traditions and prejudices. But, you Peter, you had walked with me day in and day out. Not only that, you have experienced the grace that I bring from the Father. Now, compare that to the legalism and hypocrisy you grew up with. C’mon, man!”

Peter, like all of us, had really missed the big picture. Their conversation had nothing to do with hand hygiene or financial management; it had to do with how we change. The Pharisees were all about rules to interpret God’s laws. God: “Keep the Sabbath and make it holy.” Pharisees: “Don’t walk very far at all, don’t start a fire, don’t carry water, etc.” God meant for us to respond from the heart, moving out. The Pharisees emphasized rule-keeping.

An addict may find themselves finally free from the object of their addiction. An alcoholic has gone 24 months without a drink, for instance. But every support group realizes that the behavior is only part of the battle. To focus on “no drinking” is a skin-deep approach that offers little power once a struggle comes along bringing high stress and new temptation.

The most difficult part of transformation is not about the behavior, it is about the heart. There are many “no cussing” people who spew anger nonetheless, for their heart is still hot with whatever hurt fuels their fire. The sex addict may no longer seek elicit relationships or pornography, but, are they understanding the need for intimacy that drove the addiction? Are they allowing the Holy Spirit access to the inner places?

I feel like Peter so often, with Jesus asking me, “Don’t tell me You still don’t get it!” I’m afraid I have to honestly tell Him, “I am so sorry. But, no, there are parts of my insides that still are full of mud and hurt.” It is rarely about desire ti change; rather, more often I wonder what the next move should be. “I understand, Jesus, that it is what comes out of my heart that defiles; help me allow You constant access.”

The encouragement we have is that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide us through the efforts of becoming more like Him. When we are stumped, having prayed, quieted ourselves, and even sought counsel from others, we can always be assured the Holy Spirit is at work, even when we are unaware. A poet once described the Holy Spirit’s work as “hammers and saws inside.”

No, Jesus, I’m sorry, I do not always understand. But I do know Your grace; I do desire the transformation You offer; and I rest in the Holy Spirit’s power to work within.