Stop Demonstrating Passion Over the Small Stuff
A few days ago, I was reading my daily Bible passage when I came across an interesting exchange between Jesus and His adversaries. The account is as follows:
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around 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 marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) 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 {Jesus} replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:"These people honor 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 the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men" (Mark 7:1-8 NIV).
The event illustrated the ongoing tension between the religious leaders and the Lord. Jesus was frustrated by their insistence upon empty rituals and their neglect of God's commands. In order to highlight the chasm between their lips and hearts, He cited the practice of Corban. Simply stated, the Pharisees and the religious lawyers would declare their resources "Corban," or a gift devoted to the Lord and His temple. Apparently this action did not prevent them from still using the goods for their own livelihood. Until their death, they had complete control over their funds although they now used it as an excuse not to help their parents. God had commanded individuals to honor their father and mother, but now they had created Corban to dodge their responsibility. Listen to a hypothetical response from the religious leader: "Mom and Dad, you know that I love you. I would help you if I could. But you know I committed my goods to the Lord. Sure, it might not look like that because I am using it myself, BUT I have devoted it to God. And I just can't go against Him." With such an explanation, the leader supposedly frees himself from any obligation to his parents while maintaining a religious appearance in using his possessions.
As I read through this passage, I was reminded about our own temptation to substitute our own traditions for Lord's instruction. We (even I) can become more enamored with the small things than with God-things. It doesn't matter if the lemon ice box is cut by a knife or by a pie server, you should still enjoy the pie (and I promise you I do!). That is the way it should be within your family, your work, and your church. Stop nitpicking. Start enjoying! Instead of demonstrating passion over the small stuff, become passionate about God, His Word, His Mission, and His Family. This is the year of passion -- but we need to make sure that we are passionate about the right things! Leslie and I thank you again for being our church family. We Love you dearly!
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Dr. Reggie Bridges (email Dr. Bridges) Pastor |