Washing Up for Supper

Scripture: When they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, ritually unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they wash their hands ritually, do not eat, keeping the tradition of the elders. ... He answered, "Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written:
'These people honor Me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from Me.
In vain do they worship Me,
    teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"
Mark 7:2-3,6-7

Observation: Once again, the Pharisees seek a reason to question Jesus. This challenge isn't strong - it is about washing hands - and the language isn't as strong as it is in other passages either (they "found fault"). However, once again they pronounce their questions of Jesus related to the behavior of others that he is willing to withstand.

Jesus answers with clear prophesy from Isaiah, and in the same theme he often responds ... that the Pharisees value their rules more than they value the love and relationship of God. They seek to understand their laws, but do not seek to understand God's laws. They value their rituals, not people.

Application: I have seen a demonstration of a ritual washing of hands. It is interesting in both its process and uselessness. It involves the use of specific instruments, the pouring of water in certain methods from elbow to wrist, and multiple steps. It does not involve actual cleaning of hands. In other words, it is purely a ritualistic process, and if someone hand dirty hands in need of washing before eating it would be almost useless.

God gave laws to help the people. He did tell the people to wash their hands before eating. Like most laws given in Exodus, he did this to ensure the health of the people in the wilderness. He actually wanted people to be healthy. The Jews - not God - turned it into a ritual to be judged.

So how do I judge others based on "practices" that are not intended by God? Many in the church do things like evaluate others on their worship. God desires our worship but gives no rules about how to do it. Lately, I have evaluated others based on their level of engagement in service. God expects our service as a free-flowing results of our faith and love for him. However, how and where others serve is not for me to decide or judge. I must find a way out of that trap.

Prayer: Lord, please be with my wife in her days this week. Keep her calm. Show her your love for her, and your pleasure in her work, so that she may again have love and pleasure in her work for you. Engage others to pick up the tasks that need to be done, and give some the strength to correct others with dignity and purpose. Amen.