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7. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.Mark 7:7. Jesus is in Galilee. The Pharisees come from Jerusalem to find fault with Christ's teaching. They accuse the disciples of eating with unwashed hands. There is no command from God for this. Jesus tells them how Isaiah prophesied that the people worshipped with their lips, but their hearts were not right with God. Isaiah 29:13. The Pharisees are upset that the disciples do not follow the traditions of the elders. Jesus addresses the problem of putting the traditions of men before the commandments of God. God Almighty is not impressed with ceremonies or external rituals when His commandments are ignored. Jesus openly criticized the leaders who put their traditions before God's commands. Rituals and ceremonies with no intention to follow God's rules will not be accepted and by no means purchase salvation. God looks at the heart and what it desires. If God is not first in your heart, God is not there. Christ gave all of Himself on the Cross; He held nothing back. He received all the punishment for sin, even to death. God does not reward half measures. True faith is obtained by love and obedience to God and His commands. Amen.