Mark 7 -- The Complainers And The Hopeful

The interactions Jesus had with the Pharisees remind me all too much of the nagging complaints I often hear from older church members about traditions not being maintained at church.  What I read in my commentary just about covered them:  “True worship must come from the heart and it must be directed by God’s truth, not man’s personal ideas.”  It also contrasted man’s traditions with God’s truth:

 

Man’s Traditions                                                              God’s Truth

Outward forms – bondage                                          Inward faith – liberty

Trifling rules                                                                       Foundational principles

Outward piety                                                                   True inward holiness

Neglect and replace the Word                                   Exalts the Word of God

 

I really liked what my commentary had to say about the Syrophoenician woman.  Jesus had mentioned that He was to be spiritually feeding the children (Israel) first and not throwing their food to the little pet puppies.  She replied that puppies do on occasion get to eat crumbs.  “It must have rejoiced His heart when she took His very words and used them as the basis for her plea!  She accepted her place, she believed His Word, and she persisted in her plea, and Jesus not only met her need but commended her for her faith … Great faith is faith that takes God at His Word and will not let go until God meets the need.  Great faith can lay hold of even the slightest encouragement and turn it into a fulfilled promise.”

 

Father, help me to remember that Your promises are Your enablements, and help me to lay hold of them and not let go.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

 

 

Gary Ford