The Tradition of the Elders

 Have been in Galilee the past two weeks - called Galilean ministry
Jesus feeds 5000, walks on water, etc. and then.....
Mark 6:53-56 - (note the extent of healings!!) - His fame and popularity is now immense!!

Yet --- not everyone positively affected by the miracles!!

Mark 7:1-4 - Pharisees and teachers of the law.  didn't deny Jesus' miracles.  (re:  washing:  was not a hygiene issue)

The Law - 613 (written) commandments = Law of Moses

The Talmud - additional oral laws and commentaries on the laws.  - never written down
(Talmud = "tradition of the elders"_

The Mishah - = the Talmud written down and expanded  (200 AD/ 186 pages) - is the oral law finally written down

Mark 7:5
Pharisees = sect of Judaism - very zealous to keep the Law

Teachers of hte Law = scribes;  experts on the Law  (lawyers whose expertise in the Law of Moses)

In this account, Pharisees focused on ceremonial laws, rather than on the incredible miracles taking place.

Unclean hands - was not about hygiene = ceremonial purity.  (the text = Ex. 30:19/40:12 - priests wash before ministering  (very elaborate method had to be followed)

Mark 7:6-13 = CORBAN = a gift devoted to God.  However, remains in the giver's hands BUT cannot be used for common purposes!!  Jesus said 'worship is meaningless'.

Mark 7:13-15

Mark 7:17-23 - unclean comes from the heart

SOME LESSONS AND OBSERVATIONS

I)  Concerning Tradition

1)  Tradition is a neutral practice - assuming the tradition doesn't violate God's Word, Law ...

Then ... (A)  tradition can be good if connects you to God
However, (B) tradition can be bad if keeps you from God

Examples:  Right or wrong?
In Africa, church members danced down aisle to give their offering?
KBA suits and dresses?
organ? piano? band? praise choruses vs hymns?
Mexico and church day?
High church or low church?
Meat on Friday?

None of the above is right OR wrong if doesn't keep you from God and doesn't violate God's Word.

BUT  (2)  Man made tradition should never override God's word or intent.

was nothing wrong with CORBAN .... properly practiced... BUT final authority is NOT in tradition!

"Scripture is the sole authority for faith and practice"

(3)  Some Christian traditions are not man-made!
ie:  Baptism - Lord's Supper - Gathering of the church - marriage - 

Don't dump something just because is traditional!  Christians should be mature enough to recognize and practice accordingly.

II)  Concerning purity  (ie:  moral/spiritual purity)

(1)  (generally) physical things can't make you unclean. - food, clothes, makeup, hairstyle!

Jesus intermingled with sinners without being tainted ... because He didn't entertain or participate in the sin!!  - never condoned the sin!

BUT
(2)  unclean things that get into your head and heart can render you unclean!
examples:  porn, extra-marital sex, trashy entertainment, intentional inebriation, foul language, etc.

Which is why Paul to Timothy - "flee from all this!"

III)  Concerning Self deception
There is no deception so powerful as self-deception!

Pharisees didn't see the miracles, the truth, because the didn't WANT to see.
Pharisees weren't fooled by Corban, Rabbis, tradition... = FOOLED BY 'SELVES!

beware:  you may be your biggest, greatest enemy!!

IV)  Concerning hypocrisy
We all have a little hypocrite in us!
we all (occasionally) pretend to be what we're not!!
Because - we don't want the world to see us as we really are!!

As a Christian, should be saying ,, "Lord, I want to BE the person I pretend to be..." help me with that!!"

There is a fine line between hypocrisy and responsibility!!
Example:  'I don't want to go to church this morning, so to do so would be hypocritical.'  'I don't want to make dinner tonight so to do so would be hypocritical.' - to do so would be responsible!!!

V)  Concerning the heart

The primary problem of the Pharisee is his heart! - Jer. 17:9
primary problem is not tradition, stubborn, blind, hypocrisy, weaknes, beligerence..
It = hardness, callousness .. of HEART!!

The Primary need (of us all) is not reformation, but regeneration!  2 Cor. 5:17

Jesus said, "must be born again"" 

God doesn't want you to just do better, but to be born again!!  and BE better!