Good disciples always wash their hands. Good disciples always eat the right food. That’s what the Pharisees said.

They were concerned about how well Jesus was keeping the rules. They were concerned with whether Jesus taught the rules. They were concerned.

Jesus wasn’t very concerned about the fact that they were concerned. Or, more accurately, he wasn’t concerned about changing his behavior because of their concern, he was concerned THAT they were concerned about what didn’t matter.

You can do this game, too.

Good disciples always wear a tie, (especially when they are upset with the people who don’t wear ties. In fact, when they are so angry about the people who don’t wear ties that they could…) Wait. Sorry.

Good disciples always have their hair combed. Good disciples always wear three-piece suits (especially when they are coming home after seeing their mistresses.) Good disciples always keep precise count of every ounce (fluid) of gasoline they use on driving people home from church so they can tell their accountant to deduct it as a contribution to make up for the …

Simply identify some place where religious people have made lists of spiritual actions, and then they complain to Jesus about how he isn’t following their rules. Look for a place where they have made those rules and held other people accountable for breaking their rules and then have broken the rules about murder or slander.

Unfortunately it will be easy to find examples in the news or in the hallways. It may even be possible to find them in the mirror.

But then what?

Then take care of the inside.

“You mean, just let those people go without washing their hands? Those horrible people with dirty hands who ought to be…”

Yes. Just let them go.

Until your heart surgery.