Study Text: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and [a]cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others (Matthew 23:23 NASB).

In those words, Jesus addresses the religious leaders of His day—primarily the Pharisees—whose meticulous attention to the smallest details of the law contrasts sharply with their neglect of the deeper, heart-level principles of God’s commands. Today, as followers of Christ, we are invited to reflect on how we live out our faith—not just in outward acts of religion, but in our inner attitudes and relationships.

The Historical Context

In Jesus’ time, the Pharisees were known for their devotion to the Law of Moses. They were meticulous in their observance of the commandments, even down to tithing the smallest of spices, such as mint, dill, and cumin (which would be impossible to do without a deep commitment to the law). For the Pharisees, this strict observance of the law became an end in itself.

However, Jesus criticizes them for their failure to grasp the heart of the law. They focused on external rituals while neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. They were obsessed with the outward signs of their righteousness but ignored the internal transformation that should have accompanied those acts.

Jesus isn’t condemning religious observance; He’s challenging us to ensure that our acts of faith are not mere checkboxes on a list, but reflections of a heart that is deeply aligned with God’s values.

What Can We Learn from This Teaching?

1. God Looks at the Heart, Not Just the Actions: Jesus teaches us that true righteousness is not found in outward acts alone, but in the condition of our hearts. It’s easy to get caught up in religious duties—going to church, serving in various departments in church, and getting caught up in all the activities that come with church life—and to think that these things make us “right with God.” But if our hearts are not shaped by love, justice, mercy, and faithfulness, our outward actions lose their meaning. True discipleship requires a transformation that starts within and overflows into every area of life.
2. Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness Matter Most: The three qualities Jesus highlights—justice, mercy, and faithfulness—are not optional. They are the “weightier matters” of the law because they reflect God’s character and His heart for His people. Isaiah and Jeremiah in their prophecies strongly emphasize God’s concern for the vulnerable and His expectation for justice and compassion (Isaiah 1:23, . Isaiah 10:1-4, Jeremiah 5:28-29, Jeremiah 22:3-5).
3. Justice means acting with fairness and equity, ensuring that others are treated with dignity and respect. Mercy is about compassion—choosing forgiveness over condemnation and extending grace to those in need. Faithfulness speaks to our loyalty to God and to each other, upholding commitments and standing firm in truth.
4. Balance Is Key: Jesus is not saying that religious observance should be neglected. He’s urging us to keep the balance. Attending church, and observing spiritual practices are all good, but they must be grounded in a life that seeks to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. These inner qualities should shape the way we worship and serve, ensuring that our outward actions reflect God’s love and righteousness.

Applying Jesus’ Teachings to Our Lives Today

As modern-day disciples of Jesus, His words challenge us in several ways. Here are some reflections on how we might live out this teaching in our daily lives:

1. Examine the Heart of Our Faith: In our busy, performance-driven world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing the right things for the wrong reasons. We may show up at church, volunteer, or give to charity—but if we’re not actively seeking justice, extending mercy, or being faithful in our relationships, we may be missing the point. Jesus calls us to examine our motives: are we acting out of love for God and others, or out of a desire to be seen and recognized?
2. Seek Justice in a Broken World: The call to justice is a call to stand up for what is right. In a world marked by inequality, oppression, and corruption, Believers are called to be voices for the voiceless. This might mean speaking out against injustice, advocating for the marginalized, or simply making sure we treat all people with fairness and dignity in our everyday interactions.
3. Extend Mercy in Our Relationships: Mercy is one of the most powerful ways we reflect God’s heart. As Jesus has shown us, mercy means offering forgiveness when it’s undeserved, showing compassion to those who are suffering, and loving others even when they fail. In our relationships with family, friends, and even strangers, we are called to embody God’s mercy in tangible ways—just as He has shown mercy to us.
4. Faithfulness to God and Others: Faithfulness is often tested in the small, everyday moments. Are we loyal to God’s Word, even when it’s hard or inconvenient? Are we faithful to the commitments we’ve made, whether in marriage, friendships, or at work? Can we seal an agreement with just a handshake? Jesus calls us to be people of integrity—whose “yes” means “yes,” and whose lives are consistent with the truth we profess.

Let Us Pray

Lord, help us to live out our faith with sincerity. Give us hearts that hunger for justice, mercy, and faithfulness. May we not be like the Pharisees, focused on the outward show, but transform us from the inside out so that every action we take reflects Your love and truth. Amen.