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Wash Your SoulBy Dr. Jack CanadyRead Matthew 15:1-5Dear Leader Chosen of God,
"Why do Your disciples break the traditions of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." (Matthew 15:2) Everybody in the crowd was shocked by the way He responded. His disciples were downright scared. After all Jesus was not just talking to anybody; he was talking to the most powerful men of the nation. "Why do YOU YOURSELVES transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" (15:3) WOW! Speak of laying down the gauntlet; drawing a line in the sand. And He did not do it in private. He did it in front of the whole world. But He was not through. He named their sin; a sin that had hurt many of the elderly people who were listening to this confrontation. "For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and mother.'"; (an important comment here.) One of the most important parts of that honor was taking care of them in their old age; when their bodies were frail and they could not earn a living. That commandment of God has never been rescinded. However, it was rescinded; made null and void by the elders who were more concerned about washing hands before you ate than providing for their parents when they could use their money and time better in other personal ventures. That is what Jesus meant when He accused, "But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God". (15:5). In other words, if the adult children said they were giving to God instead of taking care of their parents, they were off the hook. Nothing much was said after that except the Jesus called the Pharisee and scribes "Hypocrites!" They knew the crowd agreed with Jesus so they put their tails between their legs and slinked away - for the moment. Enemies driven by hate never stay away long. I loved and honored my Father and my Mother to the day I said my final goodbye; but two of my most painful memories are when I spoke harsh, angry words; once to my Father when I was a very young Christian; once to my Mother when she was very old. A wall went up between my Dad and me when those words fumed from my mouth. I spent the rest of his life dismantling that wall one brick at a time. My Mother and I were quickly reconciled but I will never forget the groaning of her wounded soul. It is nice to wash your hands before you eat. It is much better to wash your soul before you speak - especially to your Mother or Father. God takes that very seriously. In His love, Pastor Jack |
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