“The Pharisees and some
of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around
Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were
"unclean," that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat
unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the
tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not
eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as
the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.” (Mark 7:1-4, NIV)
“So
the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your
disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of
eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" (Mark 7:5, NIV)
“He
replied, 'Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as
it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts
are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules
taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and
are holding on to the traditions of men." (Mark 7:6-8, NIV)
Observations:
I asked
myself who are the characters involved.
-
Pharisees & Teachers of the
law
-
Disciples
-
Jesus
I asked
myself the role of the Pharisees and teachers of the law.
-
They
came from Jerusalem and gathered around Jesus.
-
They
saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were
“unclean,” that is, unwashed.
-
They
asked Jesus, ”Why don’t your disciples live according to the
tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’
hands?”
I asked
myself the role of the disciples.
They were eating food with
“unclean” hands according to the Pharisees and teachers of the law.
I asked
myself the role of Jesus.
Jesus responds to the ‘Pharisees
& teachers of the law’ with 7 rebuking statements against them:
-
Jesus
tells them the prophet Isaiah was right when he prophesized about
them.
-
Jesus
says to them, ‘You hypocrites.’
-
Jesus
reminds them prophesy that states, ‘These people honor me with their
lips, but their hearts are far from me.’
-
Jesus
reminds them prophesy that states, “They worship me in vain.”
-
Jesus
reminds them prophesy that states, “Their teachings are but rules
taught by men.”
-
Jesus
says to them, “You have let go of the commands of God.”
-
Jesus
says to them, “You are holding on to the traditions of men.”
I decided to look at the last
three rebuking statements today:
-
Jesus
reminds them prophesy that states, “Their teachings are but rules
taught by men.”
-
Jesus
says to them, “You have let go of the commands of God.”
-
Jesus
says to them, “You are holding on to the traditions of men.”
Interpretations:
I asked
myself what I learn about Jesus’ view of teaching in relation to the
commands of God and the traditions of men.
I felt Jesus is bringing two
kinds of teaching for them to think about. There is one kind of teaching
that is focused on man and his rules which Isaiah the prophet even
renounced. Now, Jesus is telling the Pharisees and teachers of the law
that they are guilty of that. They are focusing on rules taught by men.
It can be inferred if their
teachings are but rules taught by men then there must be another kind of
teaching that does not come from man but from God. This is the type of
teaching that Jesus has been emphasizing time after time. I am reminded
of Mark 2 where the people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching because
they saw Jesus teaching with authority and not as the teachers of the
law they were used to.
(Whose
T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you listen to?)
(May 09,05)
Implications:
I saw important implications for
my own life. If I am adhering to teachings that are but rules taught by
human beings without testing them with God’s Word, I put myself in a
very precarious position. I need to always follow the teachings of the
Lord and not let man sugar-coat the teachings of the Lord and what the
Lord has for us in His Word. We should not especially sugar-coat the
Gospel.
The sad thing is that it is
happening very frequently in the 21st century where the
Lord’s teaching is being sugar-coated or twisted around to suit man’s
own welfare and well-being. This is not just being done by laypeople but
sadly by some seminaries, some pastors, and priests, etc. That should
not be.
When I learn from the Word of
God, I ask the Lord to show me what He wants to show me and not what I
want to see. When I share what the Lord has taught me in my study of His
Word, I tell people who receive the devotionals to test everything I
have stated with Scripture.
I know about those who blatantly
endorse the act of homosexuality, the act of killing the unborn (in the
name of pro-choice), the act of blatantly ordaining pastors/priests that
do not meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy and Titus for pastors and
deacons, etc because of their teachings that contradict the Bible.
I ask you now dear friend whose
teaching do you follow?
Dear friend, there is a lot of
teaching out there on different topics and even on topics mentioned in
the Bible but I have come to believe through the years of ministry that
the Bible is the Absolute Truth and not relative.
I know of churches that say it
is wrong to dance, watch T.V, play cards for fun, wear jewels, etc but
reading through the entire Bible, I have not found where we
should not do those. They are rules instituted by human beings. Now if
we use dancing, watching T.V, or playing cards for sinful purposes then
it becomes wrong!
What we need to remember is that
whatever we do in word or deed when we are doing it for the honor and
glory of the Lord, there is nothing wrong with it as long as it does not
contradict God’s Word.
Now if we play cards and it
turns into gambling, there is a problem. If wearing jewels puts us into
heavy debt because we want to live materialistically, there is a problem
with that. If dancing causes people to take it to the next step they
know should not happen, there is a problem. If watching T.V makes people
lust or do things contrary to the Word of God, there is a problem.
If you look into Scripture as a
whole, you can see that it does not contradict itself. If anything it
strengthens certain things. As followers of Christ, we need to remember
that we are under a New Covenant and the New Covenant takes precedent
over the Old Covenant but if something is not mentioned in the New
Covenant, we need to adhere to the things in the Old Testament too!
If as Christians, we just were
to follow the New Testament then there would be no use for the Old
Testament. It is the Old Testament that makes us realize how wretched we
are and the grace offered through Jesus Christ. This grace the Lord
wanted to offer us started in Genesis already when God sacrificed the
first animal to clothe Adam and Eve in their nakedness. This was to be a
foreshadow of Jesus being sacrificed as the sacrificial Lamb of God to
clothe us with His righteousness and cover us with His cleansing Blood.
There are so many other analogies to explain God’s grace. Prophesy is
the key that foreshadows what Jesus Christ would do for us.
So, friend let the Word of God
be the Word of God and not what you want it to be or someone tells you
what it should be.
Why has
that happened?
I looked into it deeply because
I wanted to understand how someone can say they are followers of Christ
and then live as followers of the devil. Jesus used that kind of
language in John 8 when talking to the Pharisees and teachers of the
law.
It is the inconsistent teachings
of the Pharisees and teachers of the law that confused and turned people
away. Jesus wanted to put a stop to their kind of teaching because it
was hurting the masses. Jesus wants to put a stop to that kind of
teaching even now but as the Pharisees continued to teach
inconsistencies, even today people preach inconsistencies sadly.
Friend, there are three views of
Scripture that different seminaries adapt to but only one view of
Scripture is biblical:
-
Bible contains the Word
of God (unbiblical view)
-
Bible becomes the Word of
God (unbiblical view)
-
Bible is the Word of God
(biblical view)
View 1: Bible contains the
Word of God
This view states that the Bible
as a book is not the complete Word of God. It contains man’s words too
and not just God’s Word. This view states, we need to pick and choose
what is God’s Word and what is man’s word. There is a danger in this
view. In this view, if people do not agree with something God has said,
then they say to themselves, “God would never say that so it must be
some man’s words that got into Scripture." This view makes people walk
on thin ground. Anything they agree with becomes the Word of God and
anything they do not agree with is not the Word of God.
Why do you
think homosexuality, abortion, divorce, pre-marital sex, etc have been
getting so much support?
It is not because the Bible
agrees with all this but because man wants people to think God is not
against all that. There is only one exception for divorce in Scripture.
If anything forgiveness and grace is emphasized. There should be no
reason whatsoever why followers of Christ have an equivalent divorce
rate as non-believers. This is just shocking and unbelievable. This is
just one example.
This is the view Satan adapted
when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan picked and chose
Scripture to suit its needs by twisting Scripture. But, Scripture needs
to be taken as a whole. Jesus rebuked Satan with Scripture and overcame
temptation by doing it the right way.
Picking and choosing can be very
dangerous especially for a Christian’s walk with the Lord. Friend, I do
not want that to happen to you. God has given us His Word to read and
meditate on it so we can walk the right path.
"Do not
let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then
you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:8, NIV)
If you never open the Word of
God on your own but only listen to it on Sunday’s, you are missing out
on a lot. When that happens it is also easy to be deceived by some who
give their own teachings that are not in line with Scripture. If you
know Scripture, then you can say, ‘Pastor, I don’t think that is right
because the Bible says so and so in these verses’ etc when you are alone
with the pastor/priest, etc. You do not dishonor your pastor, priest,
etc for they are placed in authority over you but pointing out a
discrepancy in their sermon is not wrong I believe because we are to
seek the Lord first and foremost.
View 2: Bible becomes the
Word of God.
Friend, this view is similar to
‘view one’ but does not see the Bible as we have it as the Word of God.
It just sees it as a textbook with good stories, etc. In this view, it
is slightly similar to the Gnostic view in that when you open the Bible,
it only becomes the Word of God when the Lord reveals something to you.
In this view, if there is no revelation or God’s peace, then it is not
the Word of God.
So someone could read a passage
on homosexuality and just see it as man’s writing and not what God
meant. Those that read that passage and are practicing homosexuals but
have peace about it, will just state to you, “I have peace with God and
since I have peace with God, I know what I am doing is not wrong”.
The Bible also states that Satan
comes as light but it is in reality a deception of darkness. If you have
peace about something but you are going against the Word of God, then
you need to ask yourself if it is God’s peace you are experiencing or
self-peace. When it comes to divorce, etc a lot of Christians are basing
it on this view I believe.
View 3: Bible is the Word of
God.
Friend, this is the biblical
view of Scripture. This view states that the Bible in its entirety is
the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. This view states that God is
the Author of Life and He has given us an instruction manual for our
life. What it means is Breathe In Bible, Live Eternally!!! This means I
cannot just pick and choose the instructions I want to follow and ignore
the other instructions.
What would
happen if you were to do that to something you bought and only followed
instructions that you liked or were easy but things that were difficult
to follow, you just ignored them?
I will tell you what would
happen. The product you bought may not work; if it works it will not
work properly and to its full potential, or the product could be damaged
right away or soon, etc.
Friend, the Lord’s rules or
commandments are not given to make us miserable but so that we can live
the life our Lord wants us to have and for our own good. Taking the
Bible to be the Word of God and following God’s instructions is the best
way to go. The Author of Life knows how He created us for He is our
Creator. Since He is our Creator, He has a manual for us the created to
follow so we can live an abundant life. Friend, for that to happen you
have to believe the Bible is the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation.
Psalm 119 is an excellent Psalm
to read pertaining to how Scripture can instruct us in our lives. Take
that with what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states.
“All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)
Yes, friend all Scripture and
not some Scripture. All Scripture is inspired by God and God-breathed
for us to be able to follow confidently! Whenever I am given
opportunities to teach the Word of God, I want to teach the Word of God.
Yes, the Holy Spirit leads us into all Truth but the Holy Spirit will
not contradict His own Word.
May you follow the teachings of
Jesus and the Bible depending on Him!
“Teaching
Everyday All Christ Has Inspired, Now Give
Scripture!”(T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S)/”Whose
teachings do you follow?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word for your Word is Truth. You are
the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Since you are the Truth and your Word
is Truth, and you are the Word who has been in the beginning, we can be
confident of what you teach us. Forgive us Oh Lord for the times we have
gone our own way to suit our needs. Help us Jesus and cleanse us with
your cleansing precious blood. Thank you that we can ask you of that
because you died on the cross to save us and give us new life. So, we
come and accept the life you give us. Help us to live the truth and
proclaim the truth without giving into repercussions we think will come
because we stand up to you and Your Word. Sanctify us by your
Truth for your word is Truth! Thank you Jesus for your help! We depend
on you Lord. I pray for the one right now who is confused when it comes
to your Word. Please Oh Lord reveal yourself to them in your Word
through your timing. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and save them Oh
Lord as they seek you. Help us to follow your Word not only when it is
easy to follow but especially when it is difficult to follow from a
human perspective. I thank you Lord so much. Hear us and answer us Oh
Lord. I also pray for pastors, priests, ministers, and all who teach
your Word that they would teach your Word and not their own ideas or
rules that contradict your Word. Please convict all of us when we go
against your Word and please bring revival into this land Oh Lord. Thank
you so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and answering us! In Your
Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Make this your prayer. Don’t let
the enemy deceive you into thinking you need all the answers before
coming to Christ. Let me just assure you though you may not have all the
answers right now before coming to Jesus, He will answer them slowly.
Yes, He will for I know our Redeemer will! Amen!
PRAYER:
Father God thank you, you love us so much that you sent your only
begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
everlasting life. I love you Lord. Thank you Father God for your Son,
Jesus Christ. Jesus thank you for loving me so much. Thank you Jesus,
you will take care of my problems. Nothing is too hard for you. For many
of us Lord, we face many obstacles in life whether it be Spiritual,
financial, marital, emotional, physical, or educational problems. We
turn these problems and the prayer requests to you. Thank you Lord you
never fail to answer our prayers. Just because we don't understand does
not mean you didn't answer our prayers. Thanks Lord for cleansing us by
your precious Blood. Please come into my heart Jesus. Please forgive my
sins. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Thank you Jesus for coming
into my heart. Thank you Jesus for making my heart, your home. Thank you
Jesus for living in me. I will live for you Jesus and serve you the rest
of the days of my life. I pray right now for the one who is so troubled
that only your presence and love can meet them where they are at. Come
Lord Jesus and please intervene in their life. Cover them with your
awesome presence and help them through what they are going. Thank you
Jesus as you saw the disciples in trouble and came to their rescue, you
can come to our rescue too. We entrust our lives in your care. Thank you
for the answer and you will carry us! IN YOUR NAME, I PRAY JESUS
THANKING YOU FOR EVERYTHING. AMEN.
Friend you may feel something
or may not feeling anything but do not go by your feelings. When you ask
Jesus to come into your life, He will and does. He will take over from
here as you depend on the Lord and let Him work in you and through you!
This is exciting friend! May each one that came to know Jesus be filled
with His Holy Spirit forever more and those that know Jesus come to know
Him more and more! Amen!
Get yourself involved in a campus Bible study,
fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing church and be involved
to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord. They all need to be
supplements for your own precious time with the Lord in prayer and
meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me know!
As the movie DaVinci Code opened across the
theaters on May 19, 2006, which speaks against the church and most importantly
degrades the Name of Jesus Christ, we need to make ourselves available to
speak the truth to the falsity presented in the movie and the novel. If you
plan to watch the movie or have read the book and have questions or your
faith seems to be shaken, please email me or give me a call at 412-720-4579
so we can discuss the false claims in the book that are presented as fact
even though the book itself and the movie is presented as fiction. May the
Lord bless you and guide you!
If you need anyone to talk to, pray
with, or study the Bible with this Summer of 2006, you can email
me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.
Please do not hesitate. One-one Bible studies
can be so powerful too because the Holy Spirit is still in the
midst.
"This is my work and I can do it
only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians
1:29, TLB)
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