Pastor Jon Verwey

When we trust our own rules, our way of living, or even our church culture more than God’s Word, Jesus begins to fade from view.

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 11 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)—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 7:1–13 NIV

…“Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders… v. 5

Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 
‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ v. 6-7

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” v. 8

You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! v. 9

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)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. vv. 10-12

Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” v. 13

“I know the Bible says forgive… but my situation is unique.”

“I don’t need other people—God helps those who help themselves.”

“I’m not gossiping—I’m sharing a prayer request.”

“I don’t need to give or serve because I’m still ‘working on myself.’”

“I don’t need to change my attitude—this is just who I am.”

“It’s not stealing—I deserve this, and they won’t miss it.”

“I’m not unloving—I’m just being real.”

“It’s not really adultery—it’s just emotional connection.”

“I didn’t lie—I just didn’t tell the whole story.”

“It’s not greed—I’m just being a good steward.”

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. — James 1:22–25 NIV 

Jesus knew the Word, Jesus quoted the Word, Jesus taught the Word, Jesus fulfilled the Word.

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. — Matthew 5:18 NLT 

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate… But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.— John 14:16a & 26 NLT

The more we trust and live by our own rules, the more Jesus fades from view—but trusting and living by God’s Word reveals Him clearly.