SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:1-8
Rules are made for relationships, not relationships for rules.
For a person to establish disciplines to help build a relationship is fine.
But those disciplines cannot be imposed on everyone as rules.
If I choose to fast to strengthen my relationship with God, I cannot demand that others do the same.
I may choose to symbolically wash my hands to remind myself of God’s forgiving grace, but that is for me.
The religious leaders had forgot the relationship, and were imposing man-made rules on everyone.
They assumed that people who washed their hands were right with God because they washed their hands.
But God sees the heart, He knows whether our disciplines and practices come from the heart, or are empty rituals.
Going to church, reading the bible, giving the tithe (10% of income), serving in church, praying before meals, dressing up for church, etc. these are human practices that are good, but not laws.
Jesus makes it clear that God wants our heart, our love, our willing obedience, and not just religious observance or ritual… and He can tell the difference!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, You can see into my heart when what I do is real for me, or just empty ritual. Help me to use disciplines to draw me closer to You, to loving and obeying You!
Observation/Application
Why had the religious leaders come from Jerusalem? To listen? To trap Him? To follow Him?
The tradition of the washing of hands had been passed down from generation to generation. It was man’s way and not God’s. It was not part of the of Moses. Man’s rules had become more important and even replaced God’s ways. Man’s ways had become a stumbling block and not a stepping stone.
What ‘god’ traditions do I hang on to? The way we baptize? The form of the Lord’s supper? My style of worship? My daily walk with God? What are my false gods? Traditions?
Prayer
Lord, help me daily to focus on what is real – a heart desiring to do Your will. Lead me and guide me along the way – always – so that I do walk in the way.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.