“For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—” Mark 7:10-11 NIV
Reflection: how can we “nullify”, or cancel, the Word of God?
I’m sure you have experienced as I have situations in life, where you need some help. Might be something very practical like needing a new job, or moving to a new town, or even needing some money to make ends meet. Whatever the situation might have been, have you noticed that many quickly offer “to pray” for you, for a miracle, but few come to your assistance, to actually give you the help you need? I am not undermining the power of prayer, of course, but I am concerned that, within Christian communities, there is a strong tendency to readily offer prayers for someone in need of help, as opposed to offering to give them the help they need.
We looked previously at how the Pharisees and the scribes had replaced God’s commandments with their own rules and laws; the tradition of the elders. And, in the focus verse today, Jesus makes an example of what they had done, and points out what the effect of this was. Let’s read it again. First He gives the command given to Moses by God. “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’” Mark 7:10NIV And then Jesus points out how they had twisted this commandment “But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—” Mark 7:10-11 NIV. And, He goes on explaining what the effect, the impact of them corrupting the commandment “then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother.
Thus you nullify the word of God
by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”” Mark 7:12-13 NIV. Did you see that? What Jesus is saying here is that by them preventing children to practically help their parents, and instead telling them to use their time to “serve God”, they are nullifying the Word of God. That is amazing, scary actually, to think about. Or said in another way, the intent of the 5. Commandment is practical; more than just being an upstanding citizen. It is also to help the parents in practical ways when they need it. And, what is so interesting, and again scary, about this is to consider that God uses us, each of us, to actually fulfill His purpose, His will, His Word. We are His hands and feet in this world, so to speak. He can of course do anything He wants without us. But He chooses to use us
to fulfill His purpose.
We read of the early Christians, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 NIV
We all know that it is, of course, so much easier to tell someone that we will pray for them, than to actually roll up our sleeves and do the work. I certainly know I am guilty here. But, perhaps instead of just making “prayer lists”, we should also create practical “needs lists”, so that fellow believers can be the hands and feet of God in a more practical way. Even be His pocketbook at times. Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
