Tuesday, April 29 — Psalm 55:16-19, Leviticus 21:13-22:16; Mark 7:1-8
CLICK HERE FOR THE READINGS
S (SCRIPTURE): MARK 7:1-8
O (OBSERVATION): Jesus is questioned by the religious authorities as to why his followers don't do things as they do, why their traditions are not important to his followers as they are to them. Jesus response from Isaiah speaks to the cultural religion exuding from religious practice without belief. Ritual without Rite.
A (APPLICATION): Without offering political implication (no R's, D's, or I's implicated here), a recent speech from by Sarah Palin to the NRA offered a side of cultural religion by misrepresenting the gospel. You can see the video here. (along with commentary)
{Quick word that the Gospel message is not represented by any political figure, party, or philosophy.}
The point is that civil religion is littered with common practices that trump divine purpose. The Pharisees do this with hand washing, Sarah Palin made it about torturing people as a reference to the sacred practice of Baptism. Either way, Jesus reference to the words of Isaiah help understand that words of the lips betray the purpose of the gospel. Saying we are Christian does not necessitate a practice of kingdom goals.
P (PRAYER): Lord, we all fall short of the glory of the kingdom. Help us not perpetuate a civil religion that promotes our owns motives but help us live for you!
CLICK HERE FOR THE READINGS
S (SCRIPTURE): MARK 7:1-8
O (OBSERVATION): Jesus is questioned by the religious authorities as to why his followers don't do things as they do, why their traditions are not important to his followers as they are to them. Jesus response from Isaiah speaks to the cultural religion exuding from religious practice without belief. Ritual without Rite.
A (APPLICATION): Without offering political implication (no R's, D's, or I's implicated here), a recent speech from by Sarah Palin to the NRA offered a side of cultural religion by misrepresenting the gospel. You can see the video here. (along with commentary)
{Quick word that the Gospel message is not represented by any political figure, party, or philosophy.}
The point is that civil religion is littered with common practices that trump divine purpose. The Pharisees do this with hand washing, Sarah Palin made it about torturing people as a reference to the sacred practice of Baptism. Either way, Jesus reference to the words of Isaiah help understand that words of the lips betray the purpose of the gospel. Saying we are Christian does not necessitate a practice of kingdom goals.
P (PRAYER): Lord, we all fall short of the glory of the kingdom. Help us not perpetuate a civil religion that promotes our owns motives but help us live for you!
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