Article for September 25, 2024
Mark 7:1–2 1When the Pharisees gathered to [Jesus], with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.
We have always lived in a world which is run by those who have gained power. The key words are “Those who gained power.” Whether they took power for themselves, which has happened many times in the history of the world. Some were appointed into power, voted into power, or just stumbled upon the means of power. The power gained; many times, makes the holder of that power a bully to those under them.
Still, those who are in power whether there is one or a few, they start to make laws or take laws and stretch them into traditions. We have traditions in our church of which some hold sacred, and others want to change to suit themselves. Not that these traditions are bad, but some like and choose to be offended by them. Not that the idea of changing the tradition is necessarily bad. But again, there are some who like and choose to be offended by the change. Not all traditions are bad, just saying.
The truth is, there are traditions that have become just a habit and therefore have lost their luster and meaning. And there are changes that might water down and lose the meaning that was meant at the time the tradition started. Everything needs thought and when it comes to God, needs prayer. Look at all the denominations we have. Some denominations are too far left, some too far right, and each has its downfall, each has its correctness, and each was corrupted by mankind.
Mark 7:5 5And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”
Anita is constantly telling me to wash my hands before each meal. Not because it is a tradition, but because it is a healthy means to keep germs away. Anita cares that I stay healthy although if it were made into the “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” statement she might be happier as she might expect me to follow the rule of washing my hands a ritual before each meal. Still, not to be ceremonially clean but to be clean for the sake of good health.
So, there is a cleanliness part of this and there is a ceremonial aspect to what the Pharisees are asking. Why would anyone not follow tradition as they were taught through the laws of Jewish tradition and brought up on them through their parents?
The Pharisees act like the old-time church women who look at each person to find fault to announce to the rest of the church. Like the old-time church women, the Pharisees want to judge you if you do not follow the letter of the law. Not that they care if one is physically clean and stays healthy, but that one is ceremonially clean.
Mark 7:6–7 6And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
It is easy to give lip service and many times we do just that. It is a little more to give heart service which usually includes action. Jesus sees right through the Pharisees words and knows that they do not truly care for the health of His followers. They care more about the law and the tradition of the law.
The Ten Commandments, that some denominations think one does not need to follow anymore. We teach them in our catechism, both child and adult classes. We teach them because they are still important, however we do not teach that following these commands will get you into heaven.
That kind of reminds me of a tradition all Christians have. That is, to think of dying and salvation is just a trip to heaven. Think about it, living an eternal life is not just a continuation of this life. In fact, living an eternal life is living an eternal and closer relationship with our savior. We will worship every day! I love it.
We are not going to heaven because we think it is something good. Rather, we are going to heaven because God thinks it is a good thing to have His creation with Him always.
Mark 7:8–10 8You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 9And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’
It becomes clearer and clearer why Jesus had to come down and live with us as a God/man. He had to see firsthand what we feel, how we are being led, and what influences we must overcome. Jesus came to save us from our own sin, from each other, from the evil one, and from the word.
Jesus had to suffer and die for our sin because the offerings and sacrifices of the Jews had become more ceremonial than that of absolution. If we are not careful the Lord’s supper could become meaningless as an old tradition.
Jesus had to come and save us, because we prove each day that we cannot save ourselves. So out of the love for God’s creation and because God wants a family of loving people out of their own heart, Jesus died and was resurrected to show God’s love for us. Remember this, that we to will be resurrected on the last day of this life to live in an eternal relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Written by Pastor Curtis May
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