Title: Nitpicking Rules
Author: Christopher Harbin
Text: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
From our earliest days and memories, we are busy learning rules. We are learning the rules of language, how sounds become words and how their meaning changes as we join one word to another. We learn rules of interaction with one another, how to get what we want, how to get along with each other, how to build or break relationships. We learn the rules of society, the rules of our legal system, and the rules governing our economic activities. Some of us get so hung up on rules we never figure out living beyond them. Is there a point in which rules become pointless?
Jesus was nitpicking. The question they posed was valid, wouldn't you say? "We have religious rules and traditions founded in Scripture. Why are your disciples are ignoring them?" Sure, we could make that question sound demeaning, but the question is not out of line! Churches have fired pastors for changing the bulletin. That's a far cry from seeking rationale for departing from established norms. This question pales in comparison with how Jesus was questioned and treated where we were reading in John 6 last month. It is nothing like the vehemence raised against Paul in Athens and Phillippi. It is nothing like the people of Nazareth attempting to stone Jesus after he taught in their synagogue.
These scribes and Pharisees were shocked to see some of Jesus' followers eating without going through all the rituals designed to prevent them from becoming ritually impure. Mark does not record any demand in their words. Mark does not say they anything about them imposing their interpretations and traditions on Jesus. They were asking a question. Sure, there may have been plenty of animosity behind that question, but on its face, it had plenty of merit. There was plenty of good reason for them to be asking it. Some very basic aspects of Jewish doctrine and practice were at stake.
It seems Jesus took way too much offense a ...
Author: Christopher Harbin
Text: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
From our earliest days and memories, we are busy learning rules. We are learning the rules of language, how sounds become words and how their meaning changes as we join one word to another. We learn rules of interaction with one another, how to get what we want, how to get along with each other, how to build or break relationships. We learn the rules of society, the rules of our legal system, and the rules governing our economic activities. Some of us get so hung up on rules we never figure out living beyond them. Is there a point in which rules become pointless?
Jesus was nitpicking. The question they posed was valid, wouldn't you say? "We have religious rules and traditions founded in Scripture. Why are your disciples are ignoring them?" Sure, we could make that question sound demeaning, but the question is not out of line! Churches have fired pastors for changing the bulletin. That's a far cry from seeking rationale for departing from established norms. This question pales in comparison with how Jesus was questioned and treated where we were reading in John 6 last month. It is nothing like the vehemence raised against Paul in Athens and Phillippi. It is nothing like the people of Nazareth attempting to stone Jesus after he taught in their synagogue.
These scribes and Pharisees were shocked to see some of Jesus' followers eating without going through all the rituals designed to prevent them from becoming ritually impure. Mark does not record any demand in their words. Mark does not say they anything about them imposing their interpretations and traditions on Jesus. They were asking a question. Sure, there may have been plenty of animosity behind that question, but on its face, it had plenty of merit. There was plenty of good reason for them to be asking it. Some very basic aspects of Jewish doctrine and practice were at stake.
It seems Jesus took way too much offense a ...
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