The experience of the apostles as they walked with Christ is filled with events that must have just shook those men. In Matthew chapter 15 the encounter with the Pharisees was likely such an incident. The Pharisees had criticized the apostles for not washing their hands in accordance with their traditions and this led to a huge and shocking rebuke from the Lord of themselves (i.e. the Pharisees) and their traditions.
It should be understood that the apostles, due to the culture of the time, held these Pharisees in respect as great men of religion and knowledge. To witness Jesus openly rebuke them was akin to blasphemy. You will notice their response:
Matthew 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Jesus went on to inform His apostles that these Pharisees were far from being true followers of God. He seems to even have dismissed them as being far from any hope of help.
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Jesus went on to teach His men that the true mark of those who follow God is not their outward religious practices but rather the holy and righteous practice of their lives. The very same concept is taught in Psalm 15. Notice just two verses from this Psalm:
Psalm 15:1-2 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
The Scriptures are abundantly clear on this matter. The true mark of a believer is how he lives. Correct theology is only one part of true religion, holy and righteous living must also be present otherwise we are looking at a classic form of hypocrisy.
