For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:53%20-%207:23&version=NIV
Begins with a short summary of Jesus' ministry.
Moves on to Jesus who begins to confront the religious community, especially the leadership who place more weight on the patterns of faith they have gotten used to than the very presence of God's appointed Messiah...who does things only God can do (the religious leaders have already said that).
In what ways do I/we give authority to our assumptions, traditions, familiar practices that potentially get in the way of Jesus' leading?
So it seems we are pitting people and traditions against actual Biblical commandments. Like this morning Kelly (UMC Webster contemporary worship leader) asked us to stand during the offering. I'm sure to some folks it was different. I hope there was no one who felt this was just plain wrong. Just different. We all need to evaluate all of our habits and see that we are not too attached to them. Anything I put before my God is an idol. If you have a quiet moment, check out this song:
ReplyDeleteClear the Stage
It's had quite an effect on my life of late.
Once again a line seems to be drawn between ‘the people’ who respond positively to Jesus because they recognize their need and the religious who are so critical of him.
ReplyDeleteThe washing of hands and various things was a regular practice of the Pharisees…it was for them a religious and spiritual thing…yet their worship was apparently empty focusing on how they themselves think things should be for every religious person.
This is perhaps like today’s Christian who has certain things they think every Christian should do (like table grace before a meal) and yet their own worship is often empty, unfocused and distracted. They criticize or judge others for not doing as they do, and yet their own spirituality is more self-centered than God-centered.
The whole Corban thing is an example: some were apparently using a religious practice for themselves rather than in the interests of others, and all the while, claiming a deep spirituality!
Jesus summarizes in 7:14… it’s what comes out of your life that is the test of your faith, not what you take in. We have as hard a time with this as the disciples did. Notice the list in 7:21-22. We all like to point out the sins in others we think are a ‘big problem,’ and yet we go around and are arrogant or a bit deceitful, or we talk negatively and destructively and unfairly about others. The list of ‘evils’ include both actions and attitudes.
Don’t want to make this post too long…I’ll post another one shortly on the last two stories of chapter 7.
Just listened to Clear the Stage from Dave's post...good stuff! Thanks for sharing it Dave.
ReplyDeleteDave , that song is " killer " . I get so wrapped up in the music because it's who I am , what I've been given to do , that I forget that first and foremost I am a child of God and He is and should be my only idol.Worship has got to be my whole life and music only a small part of that . Thanks for sharing a great song with us .
ReplyDeleteI think it's easy to spend a lot of time judging others and the way that they worship. I see this in my church between those that attend the Contemporary Service, and those that attend the Traditional. Some members of both groups look down on the other as if their method of worship is less meaningful.
ReplyDeleteIn my family, I see this same type of judgment between members of different Christian denominations.
Christ didn't call us to a certain denomination or to a specific way to worship. He did ask us to be authentic and faithful. God celebrates our diversity. He wants His church and His people united for His glory.
We never see Jesus pointing fingers or ridiculing others. But, when push comes to shove, He certainly tells it like it is.
Preach it Wendy!
ReplyDeleteDave,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the tune!
Matt - the table grace is such a good example. I have no problem saying grace when I feel moved to do so. But at the same time I don't want it to get so I simply say something by rote. Just like sometimes avoiding the Lord's Prayer in a worship service because for many of us it has become rote. For grins, I just looked up "rote" and found this:
ReplyDelete"A memorizing process using routine or repetition, often without full attention or comprehension"
How sad is that? And no one can deny that they've said the Lord's Prayer occasionally by rote. "Without attention of comprehension." I really don't want to become that Pharisee.
Oh, and thanks for the comments about the song. Check out rosskingmusic.com. "Clear the Stage" is on the CD "And All The Decorations, Too." I would highly recommend "To Make God Famous" for a worship album, and "Perhaps I've Said Too Much" for personal spiritual growth and introspection.
ReplyDeleteGo Wendy !
ReplyDelete