Tag Archives: #Mosaic Law

Traditions of Men

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The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” Mark 7:5

Jesus was eating with his disciples when the Pharisees were quick to condemn them because some of them were eating with dirty hands. The Pharisees were probably waiting for this moment, to find something to condemn “the Christians” for, however Jesus is going to turn this into a teaching moment for them

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’  Mark 7:6-7

Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, to show these guys God already foretold about them. While these men believed they were in the “God club” , God was not impressed with them at all. Why? Because their hearts were not pure.

Instead of Loving God and Love Your Neighbor as God commanded us, they tried to earn their salvation by works. This was a moral issue and not a legal issue, like they believed

“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:8

The Pharisees neglected the basic laws of God, they elevated themselves through traditions. Jesus used the example of “Honor your Mother and Father” (Mark 7:10) The Pharisees claim to be righteous yet don’t even care for their own parents, even though the Mosaic Law says they should be put to death for disobeying this Law (Leviticus 20:9)

The Pharisees created a tradition called “Corban” ( Mark 7:11) which they believed vainly overrode Gods Law. The Pharisees would keep money for themselves , which they labeled “Corban, instead of providing for their elderly parents because they wanted a greater status among men.

Jesus is telling them their tradition doesn’t honor God, in fact it breaks Gods Law. So before we go around condemning people, what are our intentions? Are we just trying to be legalist or is there a moral issue going on here?

Remember Jesus commanded us to Love God with all our mind, hearts, and soul and to Love our Neighbor as ourselves, this fulfills all the Laws of God Amen!

Lord of The Sabbath

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“So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28

The debate about the Sabbath in Christianity still continues today, even though this topic was settled by the early Apostles at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) many groups still like to use this topic to condemn Christians.

Those who say “Jesus never addressed the topic of the Sabbath” are wrong, here is a good example of Jesus addressing the Sabbath. The word Sabbath is translated from the Hebrew word “Shabbat” meaning Rest, to enter into Gods rest. Many rules were added by man (religious leaders) over time to put people into bondage of the Sabbath, which it was never meant to.

The Pharisees were looking to condemn Jesus and his disciples for picking grain to eat on a Sabbath day. He reminded them when King David and his friends ate the bread that was meant for only the high priests, did the religious leaders stone David for this?

Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:27

Jesus was showing that the Sabbath was a moral issue and not a legal issue. Did David do anything wrong morally on the Sabbath? No , but according to the legalist he broke the Law. Jesus is explaining the Sabbath was made for us , to give us rest. It wasn’t made to put us in bondage of The Law

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

The Sabbath was all about Gods Rest, Jesus is our Rest, Jesus is the fulfillment of The Sabbath. As Jesus said He is Lord of the Sabbath. Nobody is saying the Sabbath was abolished it was fulfilled.

If you want to keep observing the Sabbath, that is fine, but your not permitted to put others in bondage because of the Sabbath. Being in bondage of The Sabbath defeats the purpose of The Sabbath!

Come to Jesus all you who are seeking Gods Rest, Amen!

Council of Jerusalem

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nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. Galatians 2:16

One of the great debates that continue in Christianity is the Law vs Grace. There are actually Christians today who still are arguing over this topic. However this issue was resolved by the First Century Church at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15)

Jewish Christians were still trying to keep the Law while being saved under Grace. Paul brought together all the Apostles to discuss this issue. Even as today, things got heated between the Apostles. Paul called out Peter for still living like he was Under the Law when Peter was Under Grace.  Peter separated himself from Gentile Christians because they were not circumcised.

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:21

 Paul makes a bold statement here, if the Law justifies us then Christ died for no reason. The Law doesn’t justify anyone, only Jesus Christ can justify us before God. If you still living Under The Law then your are rejecting the Blood of Jesus Christ. The Law is a mirror to see our sin but not a means of atoning for our sins.

“Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? Acts 15:10

The Pharisees declared that Christians should practice the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:5) However Peter then stood up and said “Why are you expecting Christians to be bound to The Law when the Jews couldn’t keep the Law”?

“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” Acts 15:11

Peter states we are saved by Grace through Jesus Christ not The Law. While many even today like to bound Christians to the Mosaic Law, its only Jesus Christ that can save you, not the Law

Put your Trust in the works of Christ, as he said on the cross “IT IS FINISHED” the debt has been paid Amen!