Good things sometimes become a distraction, and therefore a hindrance to something better. To say it another way: there are kind and noble acts, disciplines for your faith, mind, and body -- but when those things take the place of a free relationship with God, Your Father, something's wrong. That's the problem with hypocrisy - as Pastor Mark is teaching today. The rule-keepers of Jesus' day were good at keeping the rules. No wonder they were offended when Christ challenged them. The "thing" is not the point. Jesus is the point - and the more we can re-center ourselves on that truth, the better!
