Jesus And He Alone Is The Way

The question asked by the Pharisees and teachers of the law, could be any question in relation to not following tradition and law as they see them and keep them, to make them fit, righteous and pleasing to Father God. In other words the question, Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders, instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands? It is no different from them asking about why the sick are coming on the Sabbath to be healed, when there are six other days in the week to come; or why pick and eat food on the Sabbath, when they know that it is forbidden; or even, why eat and drink with ‘sinners’ and publicans, instead of staying away and keeping themselves clean. Be very clear on this matter. Every single accusation and judgment is also directed at Jesus.

We conclude with what I refer to as the last part of our main text. Here is the text again. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. Mark 7: 7.

Having spent a considerable amount of time on vain worship, as Jesus announced to those who felt and saw their worship as pleasing unto God, we listen to these super words of indictment. Their teachings are but rules taught by men. Have you heard, have you seen? Jesus is neither hesitant nor timid in His words to all who are hypocrites. These are all of us who place emphasis on the outside – the show of works and efforts – while completely neglecting the inside – the heart and mind – of the worshipper.

As radically raw and rude to some, as Jesus may sound to those Pharisees and teachers of the law, know that the same is being told to all of us with pharisaical minds, who see the works of our hands, our human efforts as more than the Grace of Jesus Christ. You must understand, and only those of us who are prepared to leave our former teachings, will know and show the Spirit’s works of Grace in us. Law and lawfully controlled minds, cannot but live according to the sinful nature, as their minds are set on what that nature desires.

On the contrary, as has already been viewed by Scripture, Jesus, Son of God has already condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. To live in accordance with the Holy Spirit, is to have one’s mind set on what the Spirit desires. It means, for example, that God looks not for what is in my hands, that is my own human works, according to my sinful self, but what is in my heart. It means that with Him in the inside, controlling and leading, He takes full control so that His Love is shed abroad in my heart. I am able to eat and drink as He ate and drank with sinners, all against the law; walk where the righteous will not walk and even enter where the law forbids Jews to enter.

You see, says Jesus, their teachings are but rules taught by humans. What they now teach and live by is not of the Spirit. Now that Jesus has come to free them from the condemning law, so that they live no longer with condemnation, because He has come, they refuse. They see Jesus as an imposter, a devil and not of God. Jesus is not able to fulfill all the law in them, so that their worship to God, regardless the day of the week, the time, or circumstances, will be according to the Spirit’s desires.

God is interested in the condition of our hearts, and our responses to His Son, our Saviour, through His Holy Spirit.

Listen! Our outward shows are vain worshipping, for God does not want our less than admirable shows of keeping ALL His commandments and making strife for His Son in the poor, simple and needy.