Jesus’ teachings reveal a vision of religion that prioritizes love, sincerity, and relationship with God over mere rituals or traditions. While He respected the Law, He challenged religious practices that had become hollow and burdensome. Jesus emphasized that the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39), making it clear that the heart of true religion is relational, not ritualistic. He rebuked hypocrisy among religious leaders and stressed the importance of inner transformation over outward appearances.
Jesus also reshaped how worship and prayer were understood. He taught that true worship comes from the heart and must be done “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). He condemned showy, self-centered prayers and modeled sincere communication with God through the Lord’s Prayer. Ultimately, Jesus fulfilled the Law by establishing a New Covenant grounded in grace, not legalism. His approach welcomed the marginalized and made space for everyone willing to receive God’s love.
Keep reading for a deeper dive into how Jesus redefined religion and what that means for your faith journey today.
When you think about religion, it often brings to mind traditions, rituals, and a structured way of worshiping. But what did Jesus say about religion? Let’s dive into his teachings, actions, and the essence of his message to understand his perspective on religion.
Jesus and the Heart of Religion
Love Over Rituals
One of the central themes in Jesus’ teachings is love. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). This shows that for Jesus, the heart of religion is love, not just rituals and ceremonies.
Hypocrisy in Religion
Jesus often criticized the religious leaders of his time for their hypocrisy. In Matthew 23, he rebuked the Pharisees and teachers of the law, calling them “hypocrites” multiple times. He said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25). Jesus emphasized that true religion isn’t about outward appearances but inward purity and sincerity.
The Sabbath Controversy
Jesus also challenged the rigid interpretations of religious laws. The Pharisees criticized him for healing on the Sabbath. Jesus responded, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). He emphasized that religious laws should serve humanity, not burden them. This reflects his approach that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law.
Jesus’ Approach to Worship
Worship in Spirit and Truth
When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, he revealed a profound truth about worship. He said, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23). Jesus taught that genuine worship comes from the heart and is guided by the Spirit, rather than being confined to specific places or rituals.
Critique of Empty Traditions
Jesus criticized traditions that overshadowed the commandments of God. He confronted the Pharisees, saying, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (Mark 7:8). For Jesus, the focus should always be on God’s commands and not on human traditions that can sometimes distort the essence of true worship.
Jesus and the Religious Outcasts
Embracing the Marginalized
Jesus spent a lot of time with those considered sinners and outcasts by the religious elite. He dined with tax collectors, healed the sick, and spoke with women of ill repute. In Luke 19:10, Jesus stated his mission clearly: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This inclusiveness highlights that Jesus’ message was for everyone, not just the religiously upright.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
One of Jesus’ most famous parables, the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), illustrates his view on religious piety versus genuine compassion. In the story, a priest and a Levite, both religious figures, ignore a man in need, while a Samaritan, considered a religious outsider, helps him. Jesus used this story to show that true religion is about love and compassion, not just religious identity.
Jesus’ Teachings on Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
When teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus provided a model prayer that’s simple yet profound. Known as the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), it starts with recognizing God’s holiness and will, moves to daily needs, forgiveness, and seeking protection from evil. This prayer encapsulates the essence of a relationship with God—humility, dependence, and trust.
Condemning Showy Prayers
Jesus also condemned praying for the sake of being seen. In Matthew 6:5-6, he said, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others… But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” Jesus emphasized sincerity in prayer over public displays of piety.
The New Covenant
The Last Supper
At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the New Covenant through his sacrifice. He took bread and wine, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me… This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19-20). This act signified the shift from the old covenant based on the Law to a new one based on his sacrificial love and grace.
Fulfillment of the Law
Jesus clarified that he didn’t come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). His life and teachings completed and perfected the Law, emphasizing mercy, love, and inner transformation over mere external adherence.
Conclusion: Jesus’ Vision of Religion
Jesus’ teachings and actions reveal a vision of religion that’s deeply relational and heart-centered. He valued love, sincerity, and compassion over ritualistic observance. His critique of religious hypocrisy and empty traditions, along with his inclusive approach, shows that true religion, according to Jesus, is about a genuine relationship with God and others.
So, when you think about Jesus and religion, remember his call to love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbor as yourself. That’s the heart of what he taught and lived.
FAQs: What Did Jesus Say About Religion?
1. What was Jesus’ main message about religion?
Jesus’ main message about religion focused on love—loving God and loving others. He emphasized the importance of a sincere, heartfelt relationship with God over mere rituals and traditions.
2. How did Jesus view religious rituals and traditions?
Jesus valued the spirit behind religious rituals and traditions rather than the rituals themselves. He criticized those who followed traditions blindly without understanding or embodying their true purpose, which is to honor God and show love and compassion to others.
3. What did Jesus say about the greatest commandments?
Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). These two commandments summarize the essence of his teachings on religion.
4. Why did Jesus criticize the Pharisees and religious leaders?
Jesus criticized the Pharisees and religious leaders for their hypocrisy and for focusing on outward appearances rather than inward purity. He pointed out their failure to practice what they preached and their neglect of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23).
5. What did Jesus teach about worship?
Jesus taught that true worshipers worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23). He emphasized a genuine, heartfelt connection with God rather than being confined to specific places or rituals.
6. How did Jesus’ actions reflect his teachings on religion?
Jesus’ actions reflected his teachings by showing love and compassion to all, including sinners and outcasts. He healed the sick, dined with tax collectors, and defended the marginalized, demonstrating that true religion is inclusive and compassionate.
7. What is the significance of the Good Samaritan parable in understanding Jesus’ view on religion?
The Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates that true religion is about showing compassion and love, regardless of religious identity. The Samaritan, considered a religious outsider, exemplified true neighborly love, contrasting with the neglect of the religious figures in the story.
8. What did Jesus teach about prayer?
Jesus taught that prayer should be sincere and not for show. He encouraged private, heartfelt prayer over public displays (Matthew 6:5-6). He also provided the Lord’s Prayer as a model for simple, sincere communication with God (Matthew 6:9-13).
9. What is the New Covenant that Jesus established?
The New Covenant, established at the Last Supper, signifies the shift from the old covenant based on the Law to a new one based on Jesus’ sacrificial love and grace (Luke 22:19-20). It emphasizes a personal relationship with God through Jesus’ sacrifice.
10. Did Jesus come to abolish the Law?
No, Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). His teachings and actions completed and perfected the Law, focusing on mercy, love, and inner transformation over mere external adherence.
11. How can we apply Jesus’ teachings on religion in our lives today?
We can apply Jesus’ teachings by prioritizing love, sincerity, and compassion in our religious practices. This means loving God wholeheartedly, loving our neighbors as ourselves, and ensuring our actions reflect genuine faith and compassion rather than just following rituals.
