What Jesus Did! 'Twisting the Most Basic Truths' — Mark 7:9-13

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Then [Jesus said to the religious leaders he had accused of being hypocrites], "You skillfully sidestep God's law in order to hold on to your own tradition. For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: 'Honor your father and mother,' and 'Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.' But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, 'Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.' In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others."
— Mark 7:9-13 NLT

Key Thought

In these verses, Jesus cites an example of the teachers' and Pharisees' hypocrisy concerning the Mosaic law. In this case, the hypocrisy was finding a legalistic rationale for withholding support from parents, thus disobeying one of the Ten Commandments. The brazenness of such rationalization for disobeying one of the ten bedrock truths of their existence just proves how deeply the practice of hypocrisy can become. Hypocrisy, especially legalistic hypocrisy, abounds in all sorts of religious practices and religious experiences. Let's obey, not rationalize. Let's respond graciously to God's grace and not seek to work our way out of our responsibilities to each other and to him.

Today's Prayer

O God, thank you for such clear examples of legalistic hypocrisy and of your hatred of it. I regret that Jesus had to see hypocrisy in his day, but it helps me see what I need to avoid and what your heart hates. Purify my heart and keep a right attitude in me through your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Psalm 51:2, 7
  • Zephaniah 3:9-13
  • James 4:8

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Doing Things Religiously
Article by Russ Lawson
How are you doing on your spiritual exercises? Worship is more than what happens every seventh day, it is all of our lives.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 7:9-13 NLT — "You skillfully sidestep God's law in order to hold on to your own tradition."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, April 27, 2024

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Testing the Purity of Our Hearts' (De. 13:1-3)
"Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 15:16
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Taking Hold of Eternal Life' (1 Ti. 6:12-15)
"Dear Father, Lord of all lords, Enable me to take hold of the eternal life to which I was called when I made the good confession before many..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Bragging Rights?'
"Dear Child of the Father, The Corinthian disciples had forgotten what made them special. Some were arguing that their group of believers was more..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!