Jesus Knows #4: Relationship over Tradion

A Simple Story with a Simple Message

Lets get right into the Bible today… can we?

Mark 7:1-13

Mark 7:1–13 NKJV

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

Do you know how to wash your hands?

Ask for a volunteer:

I’ve got some treats here… and you can have it, but you have to wash your hands first.

Let a few volunteers try… and each person will be told that they did not do so properly.

In the Bible Story we read. the pharisees were very concerned that Jesus was hanging around with people who didn’t even know how to wash their hands properly. See they had a TRADITION how who one was to properly wash their hands for certain meals… and over time the TRADITION became more important than the person they were doing it for, God.

Which do you think is more important to God… how clean you are on the outside or how clean you are on the inside? (is he more concerned with the state of your body or the state of your heart?)

allow for some answers

Jesus wants a Relationship with you no matter what!

Jesus was trying to tell us that a relationship with Him is far more important than the things that we do.

When we read the Bible what we learn is that Jesus came to have a RELATIONSHIP with us… he want’s to know us regardless of the things we do or don’t do.

When we read the bible we learn that Jesus is not so interested in if we are left handed or right handed...

He’s less interested in if we get perfect math grades or if always remember our please and thank yous.

The pharisees constantly thought that the things that they DID were the most important things to God… so they DID the right things… they made traditions out of DOING things. because they thought that if they DID enough God would be please with them.... the missed the fact that.

Jesus simply wants to get to know us as we are… regardless of if we know how to wash our hands properly.