Q: What's the meaning of Matthew 15:9 where Jesus says, “You worship God in vain”?
A: People think they receive blessings just by worshiping God. However, there are many who worship God, but cannot enter heaven (Mt 7:21–23). According to the words of Jesus Christ, their worship is in vain.
Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his time for keeping men’s rules while forsaking God’s commands.
“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘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 one instance, they criticized him for not washing his hands before eating. It was a tradition they created called the “tradition of the elders” (Mt 15:1–3).
But, those who are acknowledged to love God are the ones who keep God’s commands (1 Jn 2:3–6). For this reason, Jesus and the Apostles set the example of keeping God’s commands (Jn 13:15; 1 Co 11:1). The command Jesus wanted to keep with his disciples the most is the Passover (Mt 26:17–28). Through the Passover, Jesus gives his children eternal life.
“And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.’”
“‘Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.’”
In summary, the church that keeps God’s commands is the church that receives salvation. The church that keeps men’s rules like Sunday and Christmas while forsaking God’s commands worships God in vain. They pretend to believe in God only outwardly. Visit our Beliefs page to learn more about biblical teachings taught by Jesus Christ.
