PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 7:9-13

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.” (Mark 7:13)
The religious leaders were finding loopholes around the original meaning of the Law.
In Leviticus 27, property that might help others could also be put to more ‘holy’ use.
You could devote it to the Lord, then ‘redeem’ it (for a fee), then keep it for yourself.
Once dedicated and redeemed, it could not be used for anything else (Leviticus 27:28).
Which meant (cue the tears), to not help your parents or neighbours in need.
The goal of the Law of Love was to protect and preserve the life and honour of all.
This is still the goal of Scripture; every word hangs on the Law of Love (Matthew 22:36-40).
Love is not just being nice; the Jesus Way of love is self-denial, blessing others.
Not just loving the ones we like or agree with, but all people, even enemies.
In my experience, this is not the kind of love that many churches seem to pursue.
In the name of ‘honouring God’, we exclude, condemn, protest and separate from others.
In the name of ‘being right’, we nullify God’s command to ‘do right’.
This is a huge generalization, and there are no doubt many exceptions to this.
But I can’t help feeling that Jesus would be rebuking us today in this same way!
PRAYER
Lord, I can’t hide behind criticizing the church. You are speaking to me – show me where I am nullifying your Law of Love in my own ‘loopholes’ and ‘excuses’.