37 While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38-40 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.  And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.

42-43 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.  Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places.  44  Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.” English Standard Version

At the time of writing this post 'washing of hands' has been a big issue throughout the world because of the fear of catching the COVID virus. The Pharisees placed a similar insistence on washing hands for ritual reasons to wash off any 'contamination with the world'. What was at the heart of Jesus' reply in vs 38-40?

Their focus was on being clean and looking good on the outside, but they were blind to what God could see in their hearts and minds. Their religion and reputation was all about appearances, not true righteousness. Verse 41 called them to do the charitable deeds they did for the right motive rather than wanting the praise of others. On another occasion Jesus said: “When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:2-4)

People who behave like those Pharisee’s were doing are so wrapped up in themselves, and so full of their own 'goodness', that they forget a vital truth. What is that? (vs 42-43)

A true love of God, expressed in treating all people fairly by doing what is just and right, is more important than keeping all the rituals of religion. It's not that giving a tenth of their possessions was wrong – Jesus said they should do that – but He points out that while they were so meticulous about that, they totally neglected things that really matter to God. They were focused on people's applause rather than God's praise. Jesus then gave them an example of what their lives were like in vs 44.

Among the rules and rituals that the Pharisee’s were careful to keep was to not be 'tainted' by touching a dead body – or walking on an unmarked grave by mistake. People whitewashed an area where someone was buried so that others wouldn't accidentally taint themselves by walking over it. But Jesus said the Pharisees were like unmarked graves! In other words, they were so spiritually dead that they contaminated people who came into contact with them.

That's a very serious statement. Those who were meant to bring spiritual life to others were harming them through their hypocrisy. Even today, people turn away from God if they they see inconsistency in the lives of those representing Him. That’s a challenge to us. What is my life like? Do I focus more on external things of religion than on a real relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Is God's love shaping my actions or am I just wanting to be thought well of by people? When the Lord looks at my heart does He say 'woe' or ‘well done'? The good news is that Jesus mixed even with Pharisees (vs 37) and was willing to save them. That happened to one of them named Nicodemus who bought the perfumed ointment for Jesus’ body when He was buried. (John 19:39)