One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to CONFRONT Jesus. They noticed that some of Jesus’ disciples failed to follow the usual ritual of hand washing before eating. The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions. This is but one of MANY traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremony of washing cups, pitchers, and kettles.)
So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t YOUR disciples follow our age old customs? For they eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.” Jesus replied, “You hypocrites (greek word= ACTOR) "Isaiah was prophesying about you when he said, ‘These people honor me with their mouths, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they replace God’s commands with their own man made teaching.'”
“For you ignore God’s specific laws and substitute your own traditions.” Then he said, “You reject God’s laws in order to hold onto our own traditions. For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,” and ‘Anyone who speaks evil of his father or mother must be put to death.’ but you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what could have been given to you.’” “You let them disregard their needy parents. As such you break the law of God to protect your own traditions.”
…do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve one another. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this entire command; love one another.”
“I forgive and my family forgives you. But we would like to take this opportunity to ask you to confess and repent and give your life to the one so he can change you---he can change your ways no matter what happened to you, and you will be okay.” --Rev. Anthony Thompson