Word@Work 082 - Mark 7:5-8
Published: Thu, 03/13/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 7:5-8 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " 'These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." (NIV)
It is easy to make others look silly, when they don't conform to an accepted social standard. But Jesus agreed with Isaiah's prophecy that hypocrisy was endemic (people might say they obeyed God, but really have had no intention of doing so). They cherished what God did not want; and despised what He commanded. Rather than holding tight to what God said, they let it slip though their fingers. They did not love what matters to God - a sure sign of the 'heart trouble', that would prove eternally fatal!
Jesus grasped the core of the problem: who should say what is acceptable? Clearly, God has the right to make the rules. But because we find His standard so high, we make ourselves feel better by inventing rules we can keep. Every Christless religion does this, and even Christians can be tempted to do the same. Terrible! Especially as Jesus takes the provocative step of declaring their worship to be unacceptable.
This should not only spur our own consciences, but also educate our evangelism and discipleship. The Gospel does not set out to make people behave nicely, but to change their hearts. Every Gospel bearer should make a high priority of living out what God says: that (according to Romans 12:1) is real worship. As most of us live unthinkingly on a moral-autopilot, it would not do any harm to ask the key questions, "Why am I doing what I do?", and, "Is this what God wants me to do?"
Prayer: Almighty God. I often happily agree with what you say, and even tell others. But I need to be certain that I am doing what You want me to do. Please help me to take the time to see truth in Your Word and reflect that in my prayers - as I ask for Your help, without which I cannot obey Your Word and so worship You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
It is easy to make others look silly, when they don't conform to an accepted social standard. But Jesus agreed with Isaiah's prophecy that hypocrisy was endemic (people might say they obeyed God, but really have had no intention of doing so). They cherished what God did not want; and despised what He commanded. Rather than holding tight to what God said, they let it slip though their fingers. They did not love what matters to God - a sure sign of the 'heart trouble', that would prove eternally fatal!
Jesus grasped the core of the problem: who should say what is acceptable? Clearly, God has the right to make the rules. But because we find His standard so high, we make ourselves feel better by inventing rules we can keep. Every Christless religion does this, and even Christians can be tempted to do the same. Terrible! Especially as Jesus takes the provocative step of declaring their worship to be unacceptable.
This should not only spur our own consciences, but also educate our evangelism and discipleship. The Gospel does not set out to make people behave nicely, but to change their hearts. Every Gospel bearer should make a high priority of living out what God says: that (according to Romans 12:1) is real worship. As most of us live unthinkingly on a moral-autopilot, it would not do any harm to ask the key questions, "Why am I doing what I do?", and, "Is this what God wants me to do?"
Prayer: Almighty God. I often happily agree with what you say, and even tell others. But I need to be certain that I am doing what You want me to do. Please help me to take the time to see truth in Your Word and reflect that in my prayers - as I ask for Your help, without which I cannot obey Your Word and so worship You. 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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