"Faulty Hand Washing"

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash hands their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. Mark 7:1-3

I found it interesting that two groups of men who have different views that usually separate them came from Jerusalem together to go to Jesus to 'find fault' with something as simple as washing your hands. The traditions of the elders was obviously a powerful thing! Clean hands were not enough, you had to wash in just the right way making sure you were washed ceremonially. Washing your hands before you eat should be a simple enough task that anyone can accomplish without criticism but there it is the disciple couldn't get it right.

The Scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus, 'Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" Jesus responded pretty strongly. He immediately, with His first statement, lets them know what He thinks of their 'finding fault' process. He tells them, "Well did Isaiah prophecy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men-the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other things you do."

Hypocrites. He called them hypocrites and then proceeded to explain why. He listed off a few examples supporting their habit of rejecting the commandment of God for their traditions and then He ended by turning His attention to the multitude. He had something important to say. He called the people to Him and He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from the outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear let him hear." Mark 7:14-16

Remember, its easy to find fault with people, with the way someone washes their hands, or how someone else does things differently, but the truth is, all of that isn't what is really important. Keeping our hearts and minds set on Him is the best way to keep our hearts clean so that what comes out is the love of God.  What really matters is loving God, keeping His commandment, and loving others.