Not long ago I helped a family pick out a coffin for their deceased loved one.  As we were escorted into the “showroom” of caskets, the undertaker went into “sales mode.”  He began pointing out particular features, and addressing particular concerns.  As he went down the line of coffins, each one was considered “a beautiful choice.”  

     As he explained the pros and cons of each item, I thought about what Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones” (Matthew 23:27).

     Although each casket was beautifully crafted and designed, they were empty; and the only thing promised to occupy the vessel would be the remains of death.  Religion, legalism, and the traditions of men are simply beautiful coffins.  They have a grand appearance externally, but internally there is no vitality of life.  Religion, when applied through the principles of God’s Word, and by the channel of grace, is indeed a beautiful thing; but in and of itself it is merely a cold, rigid vessel of bondage and defeat.  Christ did not come to give us cold, dead, religion.  He came to give us life and life more abundantly!