Devotion - Thursday, August 24

The Jewish food laws were confusing and an impediment to the Gentiles who sought to follow Jesus.  In Mark 7, there is an exchange between Jesus and some Pharisees about such matters.  In these verses, Jesus' words remind readers the purpose for the food laws.

How easily we forget the reason why God tells us what is good and proper and right.  How quickly we become like those to whom Jesus speaks, in Mark 7.  Jesus quotes Isaiah, "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain they do worship me, teaching as doctrine the precepts of men."

It is not an easy task, to discern where we have substituted our own "precepts" for a command from God.  But discern we must.  One tool in making such determination might be to ask whether the instruction furthers God's message to the world.  Is the thing being asked of me something which will show love of God and love of neighbor; will it bring justice; and is it something which will advance the call to unity?  Many of the precepts of men which get ingrained in us are shows of personal devotion or piety; they are self-serving displays of prominence.

The laws of God are not confusing nor an impediment.  The laws of God lead us to the place where the love of God is shown and where we are encouraged to love in return.