Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
The Pharisees gave a tenth of their income, and that is to be commended. This was right, but they had taken it further than it was meant to go, and they took it in a narrower manner, to suit themselves. It was quite convenient.
We are reading in the Gospel of Mark at Chapter 7 and verse 8. The Pharisees were really good at keeping their own traditions.
CORBAN was a gift devoted to God. Learn the significance of this appalling attitude.
They could not support their father and mother because of what they were giving to God. They were to honour their parents as they became older. They did not give their parents what they might have needed but kept it for God.
We are to honour our father and mother, and that goes right on into the letters.
They were keeping the smaller laws, and neglecting the bigger needs.
It is possible to do this with worship.
We can limit it to a period when we gather together – when God wants our lives to be lives of worship and discipleship – and that is not easy.
Sometimes our tradition replaces God’s direction and God’s desire.
Verses 14 to 23 – Jesus then said – it is not what goes into a man that makes a man dirty – but what comes out of a man.
Jesus speaks about personal purity. Our activity can cover up our impurity.
The disciples asked a question.
Verses 18 – Jesus declared all food clean. Now, this is a highly radical statement. We are not made spiritually unclean from outward situations – from outward and externals circumstances.
Jesus lists what is inside a man. Can we see ourselves somewhere in this list. What do the words in this list mean in modern parlance and terminology?
Evil thoughts = a man who is planning what to get up to next that is wrong –
Sexual immorality –
Theft – stealing – petty pilfering – that is the meaning of the word used here – not big bank robbery -
Murder – that often starts with anger.
Adultery – a breaking of the marriage bond.
Greed – covetousness is the word used - wanting what other people have.
Malice – the desire to hurt someone.
Deceit – to trick someone.
Lewdness – a man who does not want to be restrained in any way
Envy – evil eye that does not like other people having what you do not have.
Slander – gossip and insulting people
Arrogance – pride – contempt for others -
Folly – playing the fool
These are the habits and behaviours that defile a man.
All these come from the inside of a man – the inside of man.
Jesus had a very different view from that of the Pharisees.
The Pharisees said that a man is basically good, and can be made dirty. Now, that is the position and thinking of many today. Jesus Christ challenges that opinion and view.
Jesus was teaching that a man is bad and dirty, and needs to be made clean – and forgiven – and washed – and cleansed.
Jesus says it is the inside that we need to be concerned about. The outside influences we can more easily control.
We are cleansed from the inside out and not from the outside in.
Do not be too bothered with washing your hands if all this is not being dealt with.
It all starts in the inside and spills out in various ways.
Jesus is saying – do not miss the inside matter. This is what matters – the heart – if the inside is dirty.
We need regeneration. We cannot reform a man – by culture – or environment – or surroundings – or education.
Educate a rebel and what you end up with is an educated rebel.
When a man loses control by alcohol or drugs or even tiredness, some things pour out in word or action and behaviour.
Jesus is really teaching us here – how do we love God?
He deals with so many relevant areas.
He sweeps through various aspects – and He also deals with some of the details which may bother us – and Jesus wants to show us mercy and help us in these areas.
Jesus offers us a clean heart.
We cannot do all this for ourselves. We need God to do it for us – and in His mercy and grace and love he is so willing to help us – because He sees us as men and women in need of shepherding.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.