Instruction
Scripture: Mark 7:1-13
Chapter 7 is a shift in Mark’s gospel and the readings of
the last few weeks which have been connected to the feeding of the 5000. This
section begins a series of conflicts with and challenges from the Pharisees,
who were religious lay leaders of the time. In this reading they confront Him
regarding a tradition of washing before eating and Jesus, referring to Isaiah
29, accuses them of teaching commandments of men and setting aside God’s Word.
This text moves the conflict in Mark’s Gospel forward toward Jesus’
crucifixion. For us, it is a call to examine the source of our beliefs and
practices to keep them rooted in God’s Word.
Teaching
The Pharisees were concerned about Jesus’ teaching because
it conflicted with their own. What they had lost sight of was that their own
teaching had deviated from God’s Word as it had been revealed in the
Scriptures. They had, in essence, preferred the ideas and teachings of people
over the revealed will of God. Make no mistake, they were very pious and
religious people, but the foundation of their faith was skewed, and Jesus’
teachings threatened them.
Jesus confronted the Pharisees for the traditions they held
to which contradicted the commandments of God. He pointed out one of the ways
they set aside the Fourth Commandment (to honor one’s father and mother) and
stated they had other similar practices. In doing so Jesus puts the foundation
of faith and our teaching squarely on God’s Word.
Life
There are a wide variety of teachings that people believe
are in the Bible which are not. “God helps those who help themselves,” is one
of them. Another is the teaching that God desires us to be happy, healthy, or
prosperous, so if we are not there must be some kind of disobedience in our
lives. What Jesus teaches us here is that all of these teachings – and every
doctrine that we believe and teach – must be bound to the Scriptures. There is
where we find the truth and the authoritative command to live in.
It is also good to note that Jesus does not tolerate the
Pharisees’ false teachings. He confronts it and condemns it. In His wisdom He
knows the danger of false teaching in the lives of His followers. We, too, must
speak the truth of God’s Word, sometimes even in confrontational situations.
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the themes of Instruction and Petition.
Lord Jesus, You teach us that it is hypocrisy to put the
commandments of men over Your Word. You do not want us to reject the commands
which are revealed in Scripture to establish our own traditions. Nor are You
pleased when we make God’s Word void by handing down our own ideas.
Protect us from false teaching and doctrines that deny Your
Word. Help us to recognize if and when such teachings are part of our lives and
give us, and all who hold such teachings, the faith to confess our guilt,
receive Your forgiveness, and to turn away from them. Help us to honor You with
our lips, hearts, and lives, and in this way help others to know Your Word of
Truth. Amen.
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