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Under the heading of religion, what, if anything, is wrong with requiring more of a believer than God requires? Today's message will answer this question in the context of our ongoing series, Mercy and not Sacrifice.

Just from a commonsense standpoint, it would seem rather presumptuous of someone to ask more of a believer than God would ask. I have heard others say that we serve a hard God, but if that is true and I ask more of a fellow-believer than He asks, what does that make me? Like I said, it just doesn't seem right that anyone should be more stringent than God in his/her requirements of others.

Let's see what Jesus had to say on the matter. “Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 'Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.' He answered and said to them, 'Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother”; and, “He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.” But you say, “Whoever says to his father or mother, 'Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God' — then he need not honor his father or mother.” Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”'” (Matthew 15.1-9).

Notice the exact scenario about which Jesus commented. The scribes and Pharisees were requiring more of others than God required. They were “Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” This is the precise question that heads our discussion today; “What, if anything, is wrong with requiring more of a believer than God requires?” Now, allow Jesus to answer this question: “In vain they worship me!” Their heart (attitude) was corrupt and hence worship (sacrifice) was in vain (literally fruitless)!

Being too strict on others and going beyond that which God requires reflects a mistaken and/or a hardened heart. No right thinking person would knowingly impose requirements above that which God imposes; such could only come from a heart that is devoid of mercy. I am not saying that I must err on either side of this coin, but if I do, I pray that I err on the side of leniency (mercy) and not on the side of strictness (sacrifice).

Notice how Jesus spoke of this same group of folks in the latter part of His ministry. “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat [i.e. they make themselves lawgivers]. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Matthew 23.2-4). Binding more than God binds is serious business and can actually result in discouragement and the disheartening of those who are so bound ! I think that it certainly makes sense for us to study long and hard about those things which we impose upon others in the name of religion. A misstep here can have disastrous effects upon those who hear us as well as upon ourselves.

I do not know everything that the scribes and Pharisees required of others, but I do know that Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11.30). It seems to me that anything else is of man and not of God! (continued)

Questions:

1. What “weight” did the scribes and Pharisees of Matthew 15 give to the doctrines they imposed?

2. What effect might such burdens have on those upon whom they were imposed?

3. How did Jesus describe His burden? What does that say for burdens that are oppressive?

4. Continue your list of New Testament passages that explicitly regulate the form of Christian worship?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

The Second Sin