In Jesus' day the Pharisees and scribes held the traditions of men, also known as the interpretation of the law, in very high regard. Some of these many traditions included washing of hands, pots, and cups. These interpretations of the law were probably meant for good. This can be seen in this aspect of washing. Moses actually did advocate it. When it was done around his time though, there was a specific reason why they did it. One of these reason was because someone had gotten physically dirty and another was “in connection with moral consecration which was purposed.”1 For examples they washed a leper when he was healed and they washed a priest when he was getting consecrated. The problem is that as the years went by people did interpretations of the these interpretations and so on. It went so far as to become the main forces. In fact they often held these above what the scripture had to say. Someone once said that “the words of the scribes are lovely beyond the words of the law: for the words of the law are weighty and light, but the words of the scribes are all weighty.”2 Also, “Rabba said, How foolish are most men! They observe the precepts of the Divine law, and neglect the statues of the rabbins!”3 Wow, how much they really did hold the traditions on a pedestal!
In Mark chapter 74 we find Jesus' confronting these men about their traditions. First we see that this subject came up because the Pharisees and scribes were having issues with the disciples who did not wash their hands before eating. According to the traditions one must wash his hands before consumption. They felt that those who did not wash their hand were equal to the heathen. Jesus tried to show these men that God is concerned about our heart. He wanted them t...
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...teach each and everyone of us through His Word.
Bibliography
Alexander, David, and Patricia Alexander, eds. Eerdman's Handbook to the Bible. Carmel: Guideposts, 1973.
Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., &c., Adam. “The Gospel According to St. Matthew.” Clarke's Commentary: Matthew – Revelation. Nashville: Abingdon, 1832.
Exell, Rev. Joseph S. “St. Mark.” The Bible Illustrator. Michigan: Baker Book House.
Gill, Dr. John. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. E-Sword.
Hackett, H. B., ed. Smith's Dictionary of the Bible: Unabridged Four-Volume Edition Volume I Aalar to Gennesaret. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1971.
Morgan, D.D.,G. Campbell. “Ye Leave the Commandment of God.” The Gospel According to Mark. Old Tappan: Fleming H. Revell Company.
Peloubet, D.D., F. N., ed. Peloubet's Bible Dictionary. Philadelphia: Universal Book and Bible House, 1947.
Paul and Jesus both have similar topics they teach. Not only that, but Paul and Jesus have very similar teaching styles, with the key difference being how they react to mistakes made by their pupils. Paul and Jesus both lose their temper at points and get very angry, but Jesus transforms his anger into forgiveness, where Paul does not. These similarities and differences presented allow us to better understand what Jesus taught by referencing Galatians as a guide. Overall, we see that Mark and Paul’s letter to the Galatians show the similar beliefs Paul and Jesus had, but also show how they react when those beliefs are
The Pharisees were ignorant religious leaders who showed hatred towards the poor. The Pharisees would not allow marriage outside the deity, for they called the women “unclean animals”. Jesus did not agree with the strict laws the Pharisees believed in. Jewish law called for many religious tithes and so-called offerings. Jewish farmers “offered” their first fruits in honor of the harvest. As long as a tithe of their harvest, and a tithe of their herd to support the Levites. During the time of Jesus, some of these tithes were taken by force from the priests. Jesus mocked the Pharisees for their inequitable ways of
... asked how the crowed would be feed, one response was to go into the market to buy the food that was needed. But noticing that there were two problems one, having to deal with lack of food, and the other lack of finance left, the disciples in a state of dumbfounds. Instead of looking to the one who was and is a problem solver. This signifies Jesus power over food.
Whether it is being clean spiritually or physically, water has an enormous impact in being clean. Physically, we, as humans, take showers and/or baths to maintain our cleanliness for our personal hygiene. Ron Rash speaks about being clean when he wrote “a man bathes just to get dirt off him but it seems more to a woman than that (Rash 116)” and “It was a good, pure feeling to be out in the river on a warm spring day, knowing that come cold weather months later you’d lift quilts up to your chin and smell the washing powders and the damp of the river. But it was more than that. It was knowing something could be clean no matter how soiled and dirty it got (Rash 85).” Analyzing what Ron Rash said in these two parts of the book, he talks about being clean in a more in-depth meaning than just being physically clean. He showed an example of this with the cleaning of the quilts. To Rash, no matter what one’s past has been like or how dirty of a past a person has, you can always become clean. When it comes to being cleaned spiritually, one can say that being saved and attending baptism would be considered as cleaning someone of one’s sin. “Baptism through immersion into water symbolizes cleansing of hearts and conscience: “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22)”
These five men responded immediately to Jesus and this is very surprising as he is a man who they have never met before. It is quite clear that this idea of discipleship for the first disciples is very important and that Jesus is planning on building his faith in them and he wants them to spread the word around to the people. (Mark 3:14)
In the passage of Luke 7:36-50, Luke narrates the event of a meal of fellowship held at Simon the Pharisees home with Jesus and the disciples. Through fellowship and communion at the table, an unnamed woman enters Simon’s home and brings expensive ointment to wash Jesus’ feet. As these events are carefully assessed in Luke, this passage reveals particular aspects of table fellowship that ultimately consist of equality, unity, elements of sharing as this is representative of the Kingdom of God.
It’s one long humid Sunday, and your sitting there listing to the Pastor drone on and on about sin. But his argument seems empty, so you open up your bible out of boredom. Turning to First John chapter three verse 3 and 4 you read, “Everyone who has this hope before him purifies himself, as Messiah (Christ) is pure. To commit sin is to break God’s law: sin, in fact, is lawlessness” (The New English Bible). The question forms in your mind burring to be asked and answered. Finally you get the Pastor’s ear and ask “What does this mean, here in First John 3:3-4? What law is John Talking about”? The Pastor pulls out a pat answer, “The Law of Christ”, he explains, is what the text is referring to. His answer is just as empty as the other responses he’s given you about many other subjects. You might be asking yourself some of these very good questions yourself, but do you ever find a satisfying answer? Did you ever get a logical answer? Has it always been some sort of an explaining away of your question? I can show you how man’s traditions, have blinded us like a set of rose colored glasses do, to what the scriptures say plainly.
Whether it is being clean spiritually or physically, water has an enormous impact on being clean. Physically, we, as humans, take showers and/or baths to maintain our cleanliness for our personal hygiene. Ron Rash speaks about being clean when he wrote “a man bathes just to get dirt off him, but it seems more to a woman than that (Rash 116)” and “It was a good, pure feeling to be out in the river on a warm spring day, knowing that come cold weather months later you’d lift quilts up to your chin and smell the washing powders and the damp of the river. But it was more than that. It was knowing something could be clean no matter how soiled and dirty it got (Rash 85).” Analyzing what Ron Rash said in these two parts of the book, he talks about being clean in a more in-depth meaning than just being physically clean. He showed an example of this with the cleaning of the quilts. To Rash, no matter what one’s past has been like or how dirty of a past a person has, you can always become clean. When it comes to being cleaned spiritually, one can say that being saved and attending a baptism would be considered as cleaning someone of one’s sin. “Baptism through immersion into water symbolizes cleansing of hearts and conscience: “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22)”
One of the focuses of the Gospel of Mark is the messianic secret. The secret exists because Jesus tells the crowds not to tell of what they have seen, yet people tell and the secret remains. The messianic secret stayed as the awe of Jesus spread because fear spread too and perhaps even more rapidly. The people did not know what to think of the man who could stop the wind and calm the sea. The crowd grew around Him, but in the end they were the ones who forced Pilate to sentence Him to crucifixion. It wasn’t until the third day that people finally understood that Jesus was the
Jesus Christ lived a very full, if short, life. He did and accomplished more in his thirty years than many men do in twice that. The gospels each tell their versions of his life. Of the four, I found the gospel of Mark to be the most interesting. I enjoy the style of writing in this gospel more than the others. I feel it gives a better summary of the events in Christ’s life. Whereas the other gospels tend to get bogged down with parables or spend too much time on specific events, the gospel of Mark moves along at a good pace and adequately gets the message across.
In this paper, we will look at Mark’s account of this powerful story to see his purpose, style, and context. We will then begin to look at the theological applications of this text to reveal the true heart of Christ toward the people of biblical times and today.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV) We should follow and love God with everything we say, feel and do. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul teaches of entire sanctification, and how Christ followers’ should live throughout life. The holiness code gives laws for believers to follow. This teaching should be as important for people today as it was for those in the times of the Bible. We should encourage others, and share this teaching through the churches. Churches these days seem to sugar coat the teachings of Paul, and in most instances, it seems that holiness and entire sanctification are not as crucial in Christ followers lives.
and looked up tp heaven and blessed them. He then broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples and also divided the two fish among them. The people were satisfied and then picked up the wicker baskets and drank from them. Jesus had shown compassion towards the people and had feed them, after he wanted to rest (Mark6:33-44).
If Jesus honored the sacraments, so should we. When a person coverts into Judaism, they are required to be baptized by water. Jesus humbly observed this sacrament when He went to John to receive baptism. Jesus also observed the Passover. The Passover is observed in remembrance of what God had done for the children of Israel when they were captives in the land of Egypt. Jesus didn’t abandoned sacred Jewish customs and sacraments. Instead, He used these to establish a new covenant.
It’s the idea that if we go through the motions, go to church to check off a list, lift our hands up because the person next to us is, sacrificing a lamb because that’s what we’re told. The prophets had a strong message about religious ritualism; God hates it. Amos spoke this message from God: “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Yes, though you offer me your burnt-offerings and meal-offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts” (Amos 5:21,22). Christian courier notes that “Insincere worship - worship divorced from justice and righteousness - is vain” (3). and you can see this in Amos5:24. Religion without relationship is dead, that is why Christ came to die. According to Hindson and Yates, Jeremiah had this to say about religious ritualism, ““Jeremiah courageously announced that the Lord was prepared to destroy Jerusalem and His temple because the people substituted empty ritual for true obedience” (4). This is why the prophets spoke so boldly back in those times, because people were just going through the motions. These messages from afar have a huge impact on today