Clay in the Hands

I am reading through the Gospel of Mark with our deacon body this month.  It has reminded me that there are key ideas that are important to Jesus.  We learn these principles by studying the Gospels and what Jesus actually taught when he walked the dusty roads with his disciples.

I often have to remind myself that I need to go back to the source.  It is easy to get caught up in what others say about what Jesus said, and fail to study Jesus’ actual teachings.

In Mark 7, we find a key principle important to Jesus.  He pointed out that it is crucial to make sure we base our faith and actions on God’s commands and not the traditions created by humans.  It is human nature to try and take God’s commands and apply them to the way we live.  And at some point, there will arise opinions on how we live out those commands.  Over time, these opinions become practice and before long a tradition is formed.  When those traditions supersede the commands themselves, we have moved away from God’s intent.

Today, make sure to go back to the source.  We have done a good job of creating religions but too often we focus on the religions and not the relationship.  So focus on that relationship with God today.

Be blessed.