Word@Work 081 - Mark 7:1-4
Published: Wed, 03/12/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 7:1-4 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean", that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the market-place they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) (NIV)
We should applaud hygienic hands. But the Pharisees had no notion of transmissible bacterial infection - if they had, then the hand washing regime would have been much more rigorous! Centuries of Jewish tradition had produced increasing layers of lifestyle rules, by which the Jews thought that they were pleasing God ... even though He had never asked them to do so!
These religious rituals became the mark of respectability, and Jesus was supposed to measure up to them. The failure of His disciples to play the game was greeted by criticism, and became a 'reason' to reject the Son of God (even though He was fully obedient to His Father). All their rules were about what could be seen on the outside, whereas Jesus wanted to see a clean inside. And dribbling a little water over the hands could never do that. It is much easier to invent rules that we can keep rather than face up to God's demands for a pure heart and sin-free soul.
Even today, freshly ironed Sunday clothes are no substitute for a clean heart: nor can eloquent praying replace obedience. Man keeps looking on the outward appearance, while God is keenly scrutinising each of our hearts. As always it is easier to detect the speck in another's eye, while being blind oneself. If you have not given up anything for Lent - try giving up criticism today! Self-righteousness is a terrible disease for any Christian, and hugely off-putting for a sin-sick world. But perhaps its worst effect is that some people think that they can reach God but playing the games that they might see in the church. Food for thought?
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You that You don't want anybody to play religious games, but to submit to Jesus as Lord and Master. Help me to live in such a way that others can see who I am obeying deep down in my heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
We should applaud hygienic hands. But the Pharisees had no notion of transmissible bacterial infection - if they had, then the hand washing regime would have been much more rigorous! Centuries of Jewish tradition had produced increasing layers of lifestyle rules, by which the Jews thought that they were pleasing God ... even though He had never asked them to do so!
These religious rituals became the mark of respectability, and Jesus was supposed to measure up to them. The failure of His disciples to play the game was greeted by criticism, and became a 'reason' to reject the Son of God (even though He was fully obedient to His Father). All their rules were about what could be seen on the outside, whereas Jesus wanted to see a clean inside. And dribbling a little water over the hands could never do that. It is much easier to invent rules that we can keep rather than face up to God's demands for a pure heart and sin-free soul.
Even today, freshly ironed Sunday clothes are no substitute for a clean heart: nor can eloquent praying replace obedience. Man keeps looking on the outward appearance, while God is keenly scrutinising each of our hearts. As always it is easier to detect the speck in another's eye, while being blind oneself. If you have not given up anything for Lent - try giving up criticism today! Self-righteousness is a terrible disease for any Christian, and hugely off-putting for a sin-sick world. But perhaps its worst effect is that some people think that they can reach God but playing the games that they might see in the church. Food for thought?
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You that You don't want anybody to play religious games, but to submit to Jesus as Lord and Master. Help me to live in such a way that others can see who I am obeying deep down in my heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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