Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.

Picture a scene where religious leaders, adorned in their ceremonial robes, approach Jesus with what seems to be a simple question: “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” (Matthew 15:2). On the surface, this might appear to be a question about hygiene or tradition, but it goes much deeper. For the Pharisees and teachers of the law, handwashing wasn’t just about cleanliness—it had evolved into a symbol of religious purity, a ritual that, over time, had become a way to judge someone’s righteousness. What had started as a good tradition, acknowledging God’s provision and promoting health, had turned into a rigid rule, one that elevated human traditions above the heart of God’s commands.

In this moment, Jesus challenges not just their question but their entire way of thinking. He shifts the focus from external rituals to internal purity, showing that true defilement doesn’t come from what we do outwardly, but from the condition of our hearts. The Pharisees had lost sight of this, using traditions to elevate themselves and judge others, while ignoring the deeper issues of the heart. Jesus’ response is not only a rebuke to them but a powerful lesson for us today: true righteousness isn’t about what we do on the outside but what flows from within. Today, we will explore this passage through three key points: the origins of tradition, Jesus’ teaching on true defilement, and how our hearts, not just our actions, define us before God.

The religious leaders who approached Jesus were deeply committed to the traditions of their elders, and one such tradition was the ritual of handwashing before meals. This practice had started with a good and noble purpose—to remind people of God’s holiness and to promote cleanliness. It was a symbolic act, pointing to the deeper need for purity before God. At its inception, this tradition was a way of honoring God, acknowledging His provision and keeping the people mindful of His presence in the everyday routines of life.

But over time, this practice began to change. What was meant to be a heartfelt expression of devotion gradually became a rule that was strictly enforced as a measure of righteousness. Handwashing was no longer just about cleanliness or reverence—it had become a way to judge a person’s spiritual worthiness. The Pharisees and teachers of the law elevated this human tradition to the level of divine commandment. They were so concerned with maintaining these outward rituals that they missed the true heart of God’s teachings.

In their eyes, keeping these traditions made them superior, closer to God than those who did not follow the same rules. Their outward displays of piety gave them a sense of self-righteousness, but in doing so, they missed the deeper truth. Their rituals had become a barrier, separating people into categories of “clean” and “unclean” based on whether they observed the traditions or not. The Pharisees used these traditions as a way to exclude and judge others, assuming that adherence to these external practices was enough to make them holy before God.

Jesus, however, saw through their hypocrisy. In His response, He quoted the prophet Isaiah, exposing the true condition of their hearts: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” (Matthew 15:8-9). What had begun as a symbol of devotion had devolved into hollow religious performance, disconnected from the true purpose of honoring God.

The Pharisees were more concerned with appearances—how things looked on the outside—rather than the condition of the heart. They believed that by adhering to these traditions, they could draw closer to God. But Jesus’ words revealed their misunderstanding: true worship is not about outward rituals, but about the state of the heart. Their focus on these external actions led them to judge and condemn others, creating a false sense of superiority.

This problem is not unique to the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. Even today, people often create systems of religious practice, social norms, or cultural expectations and then use these systems to determine who is “in” or “out.” We see it in how we judge others based on external behaviors or appearances, without considering the deeper matters of the heart. When religious or societal traditions become a tool for judgment, they stray far from their original, God-honoring purpose.

But this is where Jesus flips the script. He shifts the focus from outward rituals to the inner life, reminding us that true purity and righteousness do not come from observing human-made traditions, but from a heart that is aligned with God’s will. Traditions can be helpful when they draw us closer to God, but when they become a substitute for genuine faith and love, they lose their value. Jesus calls us back to the heart of worship—a life that honors God not through outward acts alone, but through a transformed heart.

In response to the Pharisees’ question about why Jesus’ disciples didn’t follow the ritual of handwashing before eating, Jesus delivers a profound truth that shifts the focus from external to internal matters. “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them” (Matthew 15:11). With these words, Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ preoccupation with outward cleanliness and rituals, directing their attention to something far more important: the condition of the heart.

The Pharisees and teachers of the law had elevated their traditions to the point where they believed that not observing these rituals made a person unclean before God. They were consumed with the idea that righteousness came from what a person did outwardly—whether they followed certain laws or performed religious duties. But Jesus counters this by teaching that true defilement comes not from external things like food or the absence of ritual hand washing, but from what resides within a person’s heart.

In Matthew 15:17-18, Jesus explains further: “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” Jesus makes it clear that the external, physical actions of eating or drinking do not affect a person’s spiritual state. Food enters the body, passes through the digestive system, and is expelled. It has no bearing on a person’s heart or spiritual purity. Instead, Jesus emphasizes that what flows out of a person—their words, actions, and attitudes—reflects what is truly inside their heart.

Jesus goes on to list the things that defile a person, saying, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them” (Matthew 15:19-20). In these words, Jesus points to the real source of defilement: the sinful desires and actions that emerge from a corrupted heart. 

This teaching strikes at the core of what it means to be righteous before God. The Pharisees had developed a system of righteousness based on controlling outward behavior—following rules, observing rituals, and adhering to traditions. They believed that by doing these things, they could maintain spiritual purity and earn favor with God. But Jesus reveals that true righteousness is not about these external actions. The condition of a person’s heart is what truly matters to God.

The sins that Jesus lists—evil thoughts, murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and slander—are all examples of actions that originate from a heart disconnected from God. These aren’t just outward actions; they are reflections of an inner state. When our hearts are filled with pride, selfishness, or hatred, these inner attitudes eventually manifest in sinful behaviors. As Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The heart is the source of both good and evil, and what comes out of it reveals our true spiritual state.

In this teaching, Jesus challenges the religious mindset of His day—and of today—that focuses on outward appearances and behaviors. He reminds us that God is far more concerned with the state of our hearts than with whether we follow religious rules or traditions. External rituals can be helpful, but they are not what makes us righteous. True righteousness comes from a heart aligned with God’s love, truth, and grace. It’s about what’s inside, not what’s outside.

This message is not just about avoiding sin; it’s about understanding that our words and actions are direct reflections of what’s in our hearts. If our hearts are filled with love, compassion, and humility, those qualities will flow out in the way we live. But if our hearts are filled with bitterness, pride, or selfishness, our lives will reflect those attitudes. Jesus calls us to focus on the heart, to be transformed from the inside out, so that what flows from us honors God and reflects His goodness.

Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees in Matthew 15 goes far beyond correcting their misconceptions about food or cleanliness. He addresses a much deeper issue—the condition of their hearts. While the Pharisees prided themselves on meticulous observance of religious rules and traditions, their hearts were far from God. They were more concerned with external appearances and rituals than with the inner life of faith, love, and humility. Jesus points out that their strict adherence to rules had led to a hollow faith, one that focused on self-righteousness rather than a true relationship with God.

The Pharisees followed every religious tradition, believing that these actions brought them closer to God. Yet, their hearts were filled with pride and self-righteousness, and they were quick to judge others for not following their man-made traditions. Matthew 15:8-9 reveals the depth of this issue when Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” In other words, the Pharisees were outwardly religious, but their hearts were disconnected from God. Their worship was hollow, more about appearances and control than about truly seeking God.

This challenge from Jesus should prompt us to reflect on the condition of our own hearts. Are we, like the Pharisees, more concerned with outward actions and traditions than with nurturing a heart that loves God and others? Are we quick to judge others by external standards, or do we recognize that the true measure of a person lies in their heart?

Proverbs 4:23 emphasizes the importance of the heart: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The heart is the source of our words, our actions, and our relationships. If our hearts are full of bitterness, anger, or pride, these attitudes will eventually seep into how we speak and act. When our hearts are centered on ourselves—on our own righteousness or traditions—it is easy to fall into a judgmental and critical mindset. But if our hearts are full of love, grace, humility, and kindness, those qualities will naturally overflow into every aspect of our lives.

Jesus’ teaching invites us to go beyond the surface and examine the deeper matters of the heart. He reminds us that it’s not what we do outwardly—like observing rituals—that matters most, but what is in our hearts. Paul captures this idea beautifully in Philippians 4:8, where he writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” By filling our hearts and minds with things that are true, noble, and pure, we align ourselves more closely with God’s character, allowing His love to shape our actions.

When we cultivate hearts that are focused on God’s truth, love, and grace, we begin to reflect His character in our words, thoughts, and actions. This is the heart of the matter: true righteousness comes not from following external traditions, but from a heart that is aligned with God’s love. As 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God is far more interested in the condition of our hearts than in any external display of religiosity.

Ultimately, Jesus calls us to live from the inside out. When our hearts are filled with God’s love, our lives will reflect that love in all we do. Rather than focusing on keeping up appearances or judging others by outward standards, we should strive to cultivate hearts that are filled with humility, love, and a genuine desire to honor God. Only then will our lives truly reflect His character to the world around us.

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 15:1-20 reveals that true righteousness comes from within, not from outward appearances or the strict observance of traditions. The Pharisees were preoccupied with rituals like handwashing, believing that such practices made them pure before God. However, they missed the core truth: it’s not what goes into the body or how well we keep traditions that makes us clean or unclean—it’s what comes out of our hearts. Our words, actions, and attitudes are reflections of what is truly inside us.

The Pharisees honored God with their lips, adhering to rules and outward displays of righteousness, but their hearts were distant from Him. Jesus challenges us to go beyond surface-level religiosity and to cultivate hearts that are genuinely devoted to God—hearts filled with love, compassion, and humility. True worship and righteousness flow from a heart aligned with God, not from merely following rituals or human traditions.

So, how can we cultivate hearts that reflect God’s character? It begins with filling our hearts with what is good. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to focus on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy. By meditating on God’s word, seeking His presence in prayer, and allowing His love to transform us, our hearts can be shaped to reflect His goodness. When our hearts are centered on God, our actions will naturally follow. We will live lives that honor Him—not through external traditions, but through genuine love, faith, and obedience that springs from a heart devoted to Him.

Ultimately, what matters most is the condition of our hearts, and Jesus calls us to let His love flow from the inside out.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us that what truly matters is not the outward rituals we follow, but the condition of our hearts. Help us to guard our hearts and fill them with Your love, truth, and grace. Teach us to walk humbly with You, to love mercy, and to act justly, as You have shown us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. May our lives be a reflection of Your goodness, and may we honor You not just with our words, but with our hearts. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.