Progression of points made by Jesus in v6-13. 1. they teach religious tradition as God's Word, 2. they ignore God's Word for religious tradition, 3. they have a "fine way" of getting around God's Word for religious tradition, 4. they make void God's Word for religious tradition
Wouldn't the second one (7;6-13) be more accurately stated as " Wayward Leadership Allegations Rightfully Refuted by Jesus"
Seems Big idea of "Man made solutions to problems of the heart" doesn't represent what the passage teaches. Isn't it teaching that traditions are evidence of their distant hearts.
points
Checklist
This award is given to a student who exhibits Biblical preaching applied to everyday life. Their sermon includes:
-Faithful biblical exposition
-Clear and simple structure
-Creative illustrations
-Pastoral application to daily life
-Urgency in delivery
My clothes illustration
I think a healthy church is one where people can wear various levels of clothing and all feel comfortable with one another. It still leaves the question - what will *I* wear?
1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:1-4
Clothing? JJ’s comments? What WAS important is cried to the Lord for help
Mark 12:38 Beware of the Scribes [38] And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces
AND 7-6-13 - Wayward Leadership Accusations Rightfully Returned by Jesus
verse 6 - 'as it is written' - contrast to “of the elders” “of men” “you say” etc - 3,5,7,8,9,11,13
Application: our leadership in various roles. “What children need are parents that are excited about the Lord.” What truly excites? The gospel in all of life.
Jesus leadership warned them and us. It may have even had an effect on the Mishnah written down 170 years later
Reality: Their leadership when followed actually prevented obedience
OR 7:1-5 - Wayward Leadership Allegations Wrongfully Aimed at Jesus
Illustration/Analogy - like someone asking a parent, why don't your kids dress up on Sunday? (lead in to clothes illustration?)
I am still learning these things... story
Parent must then explain to the children and those who may have been misled it is not about clothing
Makes both the parent and the child feel awkward
They asked the wrong question - right question is how do your disciples (and us) get the right hearts?
Attack is on followers: puts both on the defensive. Provides teaching opportunity in upcoming text where He teaches defilement is innate in the heart - not the result of letting in some impurity through failure to follow a man made rule
“Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders” - SDM is remedy! Form vs function - why preach? Jesus came to preach; Paul, Peter, Ezra…; Paul to Timothy - Preach the word (see inside)
Reality: Jesus leadership did not include leading disciples to follow man made commands
Distant hearts accused: 7:8-13
Verses 7, 11 & 13 - “teaching”, “you say”, “handed down” - result being “no longer permit”
“no longer permit” - teaching negatively affected care for the elderly and was a product of their hearts being far from God. Love for God and people both being disobeyed - all in the name of God.
Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Jesus continues to be a good shepherd in pointing out how tradition has negated Scripture
Being a good shepherd leader means lovingly being clear for others what beliefs and practices keep them far from God. What do we believe, or say or do that gives the impression we are in agreement with such beliefs and practices in our culture? A good shepherd leader will lovingly present the truth as Jesus is doing here with urgency.
How can we be a good shepherd / leader as Fathers, Mothers, Neighbors, co-workers, relatives - rather than pretending to believe and adopt the traditions and beliefs of the culture that are contrary to God’s Word, bring the gospel. While the gospel doesn’t eradicate our suffering it through Christ brings our hearts CLOSE to God and we can live in the peace of God which an unscriptural substitute can never offer. The Pharisees and Scribes may have gotten some satisfaction out of all their washings but Jesus said their hearts were far from God and their worship was in vain. Why? We must worship in Spirit and in truth.
(ESV) he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. - Mark 6:34
Corban - The Semitic root √qrb (קרב) means "be near"[10] - ironic since their hearts were “far” from God
John 19:23-27 - Jesus fulfilling the Law caring for His mother
Imagine having a Corban party and inviting your needy parents. Guess what? I’m giving what you need to God… would they celebrate? Would God?
“In the case of Corban, a person could dedicate goods to God and withdraw them from ordinary use, although retaining control over them himself. In the example of [Mark 7] v. 11, a son declares his property Corban, which at his death would pass into the possession of the temple. In the meantime, however, the son retains control over the property – and his control deprives his parents of the support that otherwise would have been derived from the property in their old age.”
3 types of tradition: 1. Helps obedience 2. Neutral or 3. Nullifies obedience
Nullifies obedience
Application with urgency: As spiritual leaders, unless we follow Jesus and challenge the prevailing lies of our culture, we are not following His example. In the name of “love” do we pretend to support them? That’s not showing the kind of leadership Jesus is showing. By the same token, Jesus wasn’t simply defined as an anti-establishment character - He was known for love and preaching the truth such that even Pilate would have to say he found no fault. While he was known to confront Jesus was not one dimensional like some professing Christians who always seem angry with the culture at the expense of other virtues. Jesus righteousness was so pronounced the secular leaders had dreams about Him: “(ESV) 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”
A new ethic that cancels God’s - eg tolerance of anything because everyone has their own truth - in this case commands to be tolerant of anything rejects the actual commands of God
3. This one - taught a way to disobey
Did God celebrate when people devoted to Him that which should have been used to help parents? The latter was true devotion to Him, the former was man made and not something that pleases Him nor would He celebrate
Corban - "devoted to God" - pledged possessions mostly remained under their control and they could uncorban them.
Evidence-based practice
Neutral: announcements after 1 song
Help: Small groups provide context for “one anothers”
Not all tradition is bad
Discernment needed - Jesus demonstrates discernment and models exposing false doctrine through sound reasoning - verse 13 - “thus” - He knew the Word, He knew what they were teaching, saw not only the difference but the implications through sound reasoning. We need to know the Bible and understand if what a group is teaching is leading astray others. A compassionate shepherd will say something. It is not kind by the Biblical definition to let others to continue to be led astray.
Application: we need to know His Word and fear God enough to follow Jesus in this - loving others not by elevating tolerance of behavior contrary to God’s commands but rather calling out when something sounds virtuous but isn’t and appeals to the flesh …
Distant hearts assessed: 7:6-7
They knew: Love the Lord your God with all your heart…
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9–11)
(ESV) 32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
Paul Sapp’s prayer for CF going through Mark: “Enlarge my heart so I can love Jesus more”
Wrong heart, wrong commandments. Not the absence of commandments. Just the wrong ones they made up.
Foundation for vain worship in contrast with Scripture
(ESV) 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
He doesn't answer their questions but addresses it with the disciples later in Mark 7:17-23
They ask about breaking tradition. He quotes Scripture
Distant hearts allege: 7:1-5
They asked, but not honest inquiry? Do we ever do that? Predisposed to a position we ask but only to prove our point, not really to learn
They gathered and saw
They were tradition-driven rather than Scripture-driven. They had lost the foundation for moral authority.
Hypocrisy
Sin of hypocrisy is a sin God forgives - sanctification is the narrowing of our hypocrisy
Isaiah 1:10-18 - Vain worship (a theme of my assigned text) + Come let us reason together - He forgives us of this!
Paul - Pharisee - heart not far after conversion - heart close when you sense your NEED. Without need, rely on your own works - righteousness not of my own but of Christ by faith
Honor with lips but hearts far
True worship in spirit / heart and truth - they had neither in this case
Elsewhere - the honor given in prayers with long robes is for show - self- promoting
If trusting in self-made religion, their honor would not include praise for a new heart since their perceived sufficiency is in their own works
The heart
What does help?
Rich young ruler - Jesus answered what he must do, now how can he obtain eternal life - the answer was to expose his need - a heart that wanted God more than anything. Jesus answered - with God... possible, man impossible
(ESV) 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Nicodemus, Zacchaeus (didn’t give all away)
Jesus revealing the law in order to expose his heart - the root of the problem
“Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:26-27
Ezekiel 36: 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
In terms of our standing, grace is everything. What these leaders represent is anti-grace which is why Jesus is so harsh because of the negative spiritual impact on others and themselves - grace is what endears the heart of true worship not adherence to.. because grace changes people from the inside out. Grace saves and creates obedience including a heart of thankful worship
Good spiritual leadership always leads people to the solution of the root problem. Ezekiel 36 is the solution to the heart problem. We would expect then for Jesus to end up there… and He does - (ESV) 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
Good spiritual leadership always leads people to this place, not leaving them powerless and hopeless in a state of commitment to sin as a temporary way of coping in this life. If we don’t really experience or believe in the power of this new heart we will be prone to keep quiet and let people live in their sin because in our minds we have nothing to offer them as a way of escape to something better than where they are at.
Inspiring me to write letters?
We have a tender heart because of grace - Scott quoting Eph 2:8 in this regard - so good
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. .... Philippians 3:3-11
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:3-11
Not in this text but the answer is always the same. Faith in God’s provision: A new heart of flesh provided and influenced by God promised in the New Covenant - Mark 14:24. Nothing else fixes our hearts of stone and our tendency toward “self-made religion”
The gospel
What doesn’t help
An unbelief in God’s sufficient provision will seek man-generated solutions.
A desire to create a bunch of man made rules even in the name of God may actually be symptom of heart far from God. It is not that guardrails for yourself are bad - "I won't watch movies that have this or that in it" - the question is, did those guardrails come from the Lord as you sought to be pure in your heart and mind, or was it generated as a substitute for a heart that does not seek the Lord's wisdom on these matters for yourself? If you sense your heart is far from God and the rules you follow you see as a ladder to Him, that is legalism. If your heart desires to be close to Him and you call out to Him and He gives you no peace to engage in something not strictly forbidden in the Scripture, it is wise not to engage but don't make it a universal for all others...
By the same token there may be things that are not forbidden but not helpful to you either - stay away if not helpful but don’t make it into a doctrine of God if God didn’t say it. He may have impressed it upon you but don’t make it a universal.
(ESV) 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
The problem is there
(ESV) 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” - 1 Sam 16:7
6:52 - disciples hearts hardened & 7:6 - Pharisees hearts far & 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:21-23
If we were writing such a story, we would be tempted to write is as clear good guys all virtuous and clear bad guys - here the disciples and Jesus enemies both have heart problems. No one is immune to spiritual heart problems in this story
Mark 7:14-23
Commandments of men
Fence around commandments - may be well intentioned but we need to be careful we don’t end up thinking about thoughts that are really man made ideas relating to Scripture but not Scripture itself. We can begin to relate to man made ideas and conjecture that have some relationship to Scripture but are still man made in substance. If we find ourselves feeding on those things more than Scripture thinking they are feeding our souls we may be deceived.
“of the elders” “of men” “you say” etc - 3,5,7,8,9,11,13 - who is saying what? Is it from God or man? Requires knowledge of the Scripture and discernment
The Talmud has two components; the Mishnah (משנה, c. 200 CE), a written compendium of the Oral Torah; and the Gemara (גמרא, c. 500 CE), an elucidation of the Mishnah and related Tannaitic writings that often ventures onto other subjects and expounds broadly on the Hebrew Bible. The term "Talmud" may refer to either the Gemara alone, or the Mishnah and Gemara together.
Originally, Jewish scholarship was oral and transferred from one generation to the next. Rabbis expounded and debated the Torah (the written Torah expressed in the Hebrew Bible) and discussed the Tanakh without the benefit of written works (other than the Biblical books themselves), though some may have made private notes (megillot setarim), for example, of court decisions. This situation changed drastically due to the Roman destruction of the Jewish commonwealth and the Second Temple in the year 70 and the consequent upheaval of Jewish social and legal norms. As the rabbis were required to face a new reality—mainly Judaism without a Temple (to serve as the center of teaching and study) and Judea, the Roman province, without at least partial autonomy—there was a flurry of legal discourse and the old system of oral scholarship could not be maintained. It is during this period that rabbinic discourse began to be recorded in writing
Corban was a COMMITMENT to negating God’s word. Today we have new laws and practices that also imply commitment to sin. That commitment, like Corban has been reframed as good and virtuous. We must make that distinction. Sin that becomes a commitment is not the same category as those we lapse into and loathe it. Overlooking sin is bad enough. Creating or going along with a belief system and it’s practices that make sin look righteous is worse yet.
Our temptation in this area may not be a heavy focus on church tradition over God’s Word. That’s why some of us are in this church. It may more likely be a temptation to conform to the standards and practices of the world that are contrary to and negate God’s word.
Oral traditions - eventually written down in the Mishnah 200 AD - Mishnah + Gemara = Talmud
Washings and clothing (“long robes”) then, today might be clothing. The issue is the heart. My recent illustration with jeans to Kristin’s church.
Washings
The X-Y Problem, as it is sometimes called, occurs when a person tries to solve a problem on their own, pursues a method that seems like a promising approach, gets stuck, and then asks for help with their chosen method (instead of asking for help with the original problem).
(ESV) 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”
legalism is the conviction that law-keeping is the ground of our acceptance with God
Insight into how Pharisees think: The apostle Paul was trained as a Pharisee, and his credentials in that group were sterling (Acts 26:5). Paul called himself “a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (Philippians 3:5–6). But Paul found that his performance of the Law could not produce true righteousness. After he placed his trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross, he desired to “be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (verse 9). No one, not even the strictest Pharisee, is justified by keeping the Law (Galatians 3:11).
Romans 3:20: “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:28: “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Galatians 2:16: “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.”
"and all the Jews"
Lev 22:3-7 - ceremonial washings for priests only
The Pharisees were responsible for the compilation of the Mishnah, an important document with reference to the continuation of Judaism beyond the destruction of the temple. Rabbinical Judaism and modern-day synagogues owe their existence to the Pharisees’ work.
The Pharisees accepted the written Word as inspired by God. At the time of Christ’s earthly ministry, this would have been what we now call the Old Testament. Unfortunately, the Pharisees gave equal authority to oral tradition, saying the traditions went all the way back to Moses. Evolving over the centuries, the Pharisaic traditions had the effect of adding to God’s Word, which is forbidden
As the altar was a place of food offering for the Lord, the priests were required to wash hands and feet before even approaching it. So, the Pharisees honored God in their homes by reenacting this – were they wrong to call it a commandment? Nope. However, we see that Yeshua did not do this Himself – but He doesn’t criticise them for doing it either. Instead, He deftly changes the subject to (weightier matters of the Law that affect PEOPLE) how they ought to be cleansing themselves on the inside, as was commanded at Sinai, in the circumcision of their hearts. Ritual purity was nothing unless it was accompanied by the inner transformation that we should experience as God’s people.
The fact that the crowd is believing/doing something doesn't mean it is right or honoring to God
influence of tradition is strong
Marketplace - more likely to touch someone defiled even by accident
After 7:13 - defilement is from the inside (man inherently evil and is not restrained by performing externals)
Fence around the law that led to focus on externals vs. the heart - Isaiah 66:2 - But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2
Sanitation laws existed
Not talking about sanitation
(ESV) Greek unless they wash the hands with a fist, probably indicating a kind of ceremonial washing
Important
Possible image
Guy at work mentioning XY problem
Here's an example of a question that suffers from an XY problem: "What medication can I take to relive my stomach pain?" This question focuses on "Y" or a proposed solution. It totally ignores "X", which is the underlying problem.
This question could be rephrased as "Why do I have stomach pain?" Now it is focused identifying the cause of the pain and the goal of alleviating that pain. Yes, the answer might still be a medication, but the first way I phrased the question precluded the possibility that the pain could be resolved by a change in diet, or treating some other condition.
A good doctor, when asked "What medication can I take to relive my stomach pain?" would back up and identify the source of the pain, focusing. They would focus on the goal of not having stomach pain, which requires identifying the source of the pain, and then removing that source.
XY problem - questions that are a proposed solution to a problem when followed lead is away from the root cause, the real issue.
God in the gospel is the solution
Heart is the root problem
Scripture is the final authority
Can’t go other direction too far and say there are no standards - legalism is not the absence of advocating for obedience - it’s creating man made ideas of right and wrong, what you can and can't do, and saying following those commands...
Scripture needs to be our compass
John 18:37-38a - everyone on the side of truth listens to me
Corban sounded virtuous and they liked it. That’s the combination that deceives if you don’t know and believe the Scriptures and fear God.
People being led astray from loving God and people in truth. Compassionate and discerning shepherding fights against this and wants what is eternally best for others. If the the thing being taught makes the person believing it “happier” in this life, that is not a measure for what is eternally good for them. Those who said Corban to keep their stuff might have been happier for it at some level but it is not good for them.
Key text - Isaiah's prophecy
Their far hearts created commandments taught by men. A religious far heart can and did create doctrines to compensate for the distance as intended by the fence around the law
A reminder on phone to tell your spouse I love you - the reminder compensates for a heart that is far away - teaching others that they too should create such reminders.
Hypocritical worship - honor with lips, but hearts far from God
Mark 7-1-13
Conclusion
Summary
Text
7-6-13 - Wayward Leadership Accusations Rightfully Returned by Jesus
Mark 7:1-5 - Wayward Leadership Allegations Wrongfully Aimed at Jesus
Application
clear sub points
Preview
Need
Before we sit in judgment of the Pharisees and Scribes as if they were the only ones, the surrounding context tells us the heart problem extends beyond them. In this passage we are reminded to look at our lives to see if they could be characterized by outward forms of godliness, but may have hearts that are far from God.
We can't even understand the root problem without God exposing it to us: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
The wayward teaching is not the root problem. Wayward teaching comes from a misunderstanding of the root problem - wayward teachers don't really know that the root problem is the heart or if they do at some level, they think externals will fix it. Our external behavior can't fix it because the only thing that can fix it is God Himself.
“What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23
The disciples too, after spending all this time with Jesus had a heart problem. This is revealed just prior. Along come these accusers who also have a heart problem but they come with their solutions that focus on the externals. While false teaching is never a welcome thing, here Jesus uses this occasion not only to correct his opponents to their face but he then calls people to himself and uses this as a teaching opportunity to explain our deepest need.
51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:51-52
Jesus addresses these wayward teacher's deepest need: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me" - Mark 7:6. The problem is not following the rules and traditions - the root problem is a heart problem.
Subject
THE BIG IDEA OF TODAY'S MESSAGE IS: “We should avoid and at times confront wayward leadership that opposes God’s Word through man made solutions to distant and defiled heart”
Much of religion in general, even under the name of Christianity is a deceitful focus on man made solutions to problems of the heart. I say deceitful because the way it is presented sounds plausible and the man made solutions offered can have some logical connection to Scripture. I hope I'm able to cause you to think more genuinely about your relationship with God and to help you heighten God's Word over some untrue beliefs and traditions and maybe practices in your life.
These leaders might answer on a test that only God can change a heart, but because of the focus on the man made layer of rules and traditions around the Bible, that message gets totally lost to many of the followers.
What these leaders do, perhaps well-intentioned, is a build layer of doctrine around the Scripture and that layer for the followers can become the focus rather than Scripture itself. Usually that layer has a human behavior focus to it and the general feeling you get, even though it may or may not be explicitly said is - follow these traditions and guidelines and God will be pleased with you. Ultimately, these proponents all steal the freedom that we have in Christ and put the focus on self-reliance for our right standing with God
Proponents of these man made solutions,, which are often packaged up as a set of traditions or rules to live by, with some connection to the Scripture perhaps, often appear pious and zealous for the truth. Leaders of these groups can be effective speakers and have enough persuasiveness in the presentation to gather a following as was the case in today's text.
Image
Scripture reading
SLIDE (scripture)
1 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”
9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother’; and, Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:1-13
