Proper 13 (G)

Mark 7:1-13

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, ² they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. ³ (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, ⁴ and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) ⁵ And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” ⁶ And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

“ ‘This people honors me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me;

⁷ in vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

⁸ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

⁹ And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! ¹⁰ For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ ¹¹ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)— ¹² then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, ¹³ thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

Many Lutherans and Protestants really love this passage. They love to hear Jesus say, “leave behind the traditions of men.” But Jesus does not say that. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that they should not elevate traditions of men equal to the commandments of God. God has instructed people to Honor their parents, but we will find every possible loophole to get out of it.

Jesus teaches us that we need to obey God. Many of us will design simple rules and paths for people to follow. Leaders of the church like to add additional vows and promises for people to pledge their loyalty to God. But God does not require nor even want these vows or promises. God wants you to Walk in Love. He wants you to act like Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of your sins. Christ walked to the cross out of Love for you. He became the perfect sacrifice for your everlasting life. God does not desire to add more commands upon you, but offers you the free gift of eternal life. Christ has walked in Love for you. You can now walk in Love as well, through the power of the Holy Spirit.