Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 15; Mark 7.
After condemning the Pharisees for worshiping God in vain and elevating the commandments of men to the same status as the commandments of God, Jesus told them they were experts. Unfortunately, they were not experts in an area that was any good.
“He was also saying to them, ‘You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition’” (Mark 7:9).
Jesus was certainly not praising them for their expertise here. They had become highly adept at violating the commandment of God while still appearing to be religious. Sadly, many people today do the same thing. But notice how the Pharisees did this.
“For Moses said,’Honor your father and mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that” (Mark 7:10-13).
The Pharisees were able to come up with a way to disregard the commandment of God (to honor, or take care of, their parents) by claiming to be doing something to honor God (give their money to Him). This may have made them look religious to the outside world. It may have soothed their consciences. But they were violating God’s law; therefore, they stood condemned.
There are people today who have become experts in setting aside the commandment of God, just like the Pharisees did. Unless they repent, they will stand condemned, just like the Pharisees. Rather than becoming “experts at setting aside the commandment of God,” we need to become experts in doing the will of God.
Tomorrow’s reading: Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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