Traditions and Rules vs. the Commands of God...
Sometimes, as we get older, we forget what is REALLY important. We get used to the rituals, the traditions and we stick to what we know. That's the reason why older people tend to get stuck in their ways and the saying "It's hard to teach a dog new tricks" rings true. We like tradition. We like what we know and we get comfortable...
So, Jesus emphasizes (as we'll see in chapters to come) how he emphasizes the faith of a child. Children don't care for rules. If they love God, they do the things to show that they love God. They don't do something just because it's a rule... Jesus simplified the teachings of the prophets and the law into two simple laws.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.
This is the main teaching. Does washing your hands really affect the basic teaching above?
Does it really matter how worship is done as long as the two above are accomplished?
Some like to hide behind the veil of religiosity - do lots of religious things to get the feeling that they are holy.. Well, what you do isn't going to make you clean because if all of the things you're doing isn't transforming your heart - it kinda doesn't matter. This is a message to the really religious folk, the ones that think they're better Christians than others because of what they do (especially in front of other people on Sundays or Fridays or Wednesdays) -- If loving God and others isn't in your heart... then you're missing the point just like Pharisees and teachers of the law..
Let's take some time to reevaluate.. Is loving God and others at the center of your heart?
see. theres a thing. we all forget to love people and God. We usually get greedy and selfish. we have to love others and God to get to stage one.
ReplyDeletei would have to say, the main msg for the pharisees and the teachers of law would be to forget the rules and laws. its God's way you need to know personally. not obeying the laws and rules, but obeying God and him only
(and of course your parents and teacheres :))
also, if your feeling upset or angry, talk to God and change your feeling of anger or upset into a loving and Godly feeling. clean yourself up. dont follow the rules for a moment.
I agree.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with the Pharisees was that they got too caught up in their own images.
They made so many rules and laws for themselves, so that they could follow them and be the holy leaders they were supposed to be. Eventually, they weren't listening to God anymore, just hearing themselves.
We shouldn't be like the Pharisees, and get caught up in ourselves. If we could just have childish faith, it'd be so much easier. It's what we have to aim for; not to question God, but to just believe.
okay. this is a question i was thinking about.
ReplyDeletewhy do you believe in God?
how do you believe in something that isnt really there, its a spirt?
its a really confusing but easy answer. i was thinking about it.