Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Inner Purity - Parents Day

Mark 7 :1-13
V.7 “They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."

Have you ever been told to wash your hands before eating? In this scripture portion, we read an encounter Jesus had with Pharisees and teachers of the old testament law, whether it was according to the tradition of elders, that His disciples were eating without washing hands. This incident happened two thousand years ago, where Jewish people followed a man made tradition of washing hands whenever and every where. They washed their hands to obey their tradition made by men , believing that they would become defiled and unacceptable to God if they don't do it. Jesus was pointing out to them that, they rejected many God given specific laws and, obeying man made rules, they disobeyed God's rules. Probably you may think this issue is not a matter of controversy in today's context. Jesus here, was trying to bring out the hypocrisy of then Jewish community.

Lord Jesus brought up an example, where they break the fifth commandment.” Honor your father and mother” . Teachers of the law made a tradition, that a man can escape from helping his parents, if he vowed to give his money as an offering to God -Corban. The money, however does not have to go for religious purposes. This corban formula was simply a means of circumventing the clear responsibility of children toward their parents. Jesus was pointing out to them that they nullified the God' law by following man made traditions. In that context, Jesus made a reference to book of Isaiah, explaining that Jews were under the false belief that they were truly worshipping God and getting His acceptance.

The present day churches are guilty of the same sin, exalting their own traditions above God's laws. People attend church, every week, say the right things at the right time, receive communion, offering money to God, thinking that would make them acceptable to God. But the rest of the week, they lie, take God's name in vain, quarrel, practice hatred and pride. . How are we and our generations fulfill our responsibility to parents?. Unless we come to our senses, truly repent, change our lifestyle pleasing to God in the real sense, future may not be the one we hope for, in eternity.
 
Prayer
Help us to introspect our lives to find, if we are lacking anything in our true worship, forgive us for following our man made traditions than your commandments.. Amen.
 
Thought for the day
People who keep traditions think they are acceptable to God, even though they break many of His commandments.

Dr.John K.Thomas
Tabor MTC NY
 
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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