Jesus says to the Pharisees, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me”. While this is clearly related to the practices of the Pharisees in all their traditions, the underlying idea has some merit for us to consider. Is our praise of God based only on words, or does it extend to the core of our being, affecting our heart?
Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 29, a passage referring to the lack of faith of the Israelites, because of which God would provide a sign. “Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder”. We have the benefit of historical accounts which describe those wonderful things that God did to inspire faith and true service. Let us be similarly motivated to serve God with our whole hearts.