Word Live: Ritual Or Relationship
Worship plays an important part in the Christian life, and in the life of most local churches. But what is true worship? What does God look for when we worship him?
Bible passage
Mark 7:1–13
That which defiles
7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the market-place they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)
5 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 defiled hands?’
6 He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
‘“These people honour me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.”
8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.’
9 And he continued, ‘You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, “Honour your father and mother,” and, “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) – 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.’
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
Many years ago, John Stott wrote a book called Christ the Controversialist,* a reminder that Jesus never shirked from conflict or controversy.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law were scrupulous in their adherence to the tradition of the elders, the many additional rules they had established beyond what the Old Testament required. They went so far as to allow people, under the pretence of piety, to
say their money was devoted to God so that it need not be used for the support of elderly relatives (the practice of ‘Corban’). Jesus was very clear in his response. Such legalistic practice, devoid of heart commitment, was not acceptable to God. Further, they were placing human tradition above the Word of God. He describes them as hypocrites because he saw a discontinuity between what they said and how they lived. This stinging rebuke antagonised these proud religious leaders. What an impression it would have made on the disciples! They were left in no doubt that true religion is a matter of the heart, of relationship with God, not the empty observance of rituals. The disciples were not sophisticated men, but they were sincere, which matters much more. ‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’
*John Stott, Christ the Controversialist, Tyndale Press, 1970
Author
Tony Horsfall
Respond
Is there any danger that you might put religious observance before a living relationship with God? Is there any disconnect between what you believe and how you act?
Deeper Bible study
‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.’1 And so is the Gospel that bears witness to him. Praise be to God!
Today’s episode shows that the Pharisees and scribes are still bent on finding fault with Jesus. Earlier, Mark has recorded five episodes where Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders.2 The Pharisees were lay people and experts in the Mosaic Law: a separatist group focused on the purity of Israel. While we might wash our hands before meals, we are not likely to check that other people have done so. So, what is the fuss about? The primary reference to the washing of hands (and food and cooking utensils) here is to ceremonial cleansing or purity. The Pharisees viewed Jesus and his disciples as a rival group who violated their cherished traditions.
Jesus is not challenging their traditions but their hypocrisy. Dictionaries will tell that hypocrisy refers to pretending to be what one is not or pretending to believe what one does not. Jesus exposes the inconsistency between the words and actions of the Pharisees. He gives a specific example of where their tradition contradicts God’s Word, from which these traditions were (allegedly) derived. Before we condemn the Pharisees, let’s remember that there is probably a degree of hypocrisy in most of us. Our words and actions are not always in step.
Some people love traditions, while others despise them. In some churches, services have followed the same pattern for generations, while in other churches, the byword is change. The choice of musical instruments or songs can cause divisions in churches. Church traditions are not wrong in themselves, but we should periodically evaluate whether they are in line with the Bible and why we uphold them. Paul warned against some deceitful traditions but also commended others.3
Reflect on the extent to which your words and actions are in sync and how you can keep them (better) aligned. What is your attitude towards your church’s traditions?
1Heb13:8 2Mark 2:1 – 3:6 3Col 2:8; 2 Thess 2:15
Author
Cor Bennema
