OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Mark 7 (Focus vs. 8–13)
MEMORY VERSE
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” Mark 7:8
BACKGROUND
While preparing a meal, a young mother cut a pot roast in half before she put it in a large pot. Her husband asked her why she cut the meat in half. She replied, “Because that’s the way my mother does it.”
Her husband’s question, however, piqued the woman’s curiosity. So she asked her mother about the tradition.
She was shocked to learn that her mother cut the meat so it would fit in the one small pot she used. And because her daughter had many large pots, the act of cutting the meat was unnecessary.
Many traditions begin out of a necessity but are carried on without question—becoming “the way we do it.”
It’s natural to want to hold on to human traditions—something the Pharisees were doing in their day (Mark 7:1–2). They were distracted by what seemed like the breaking of one of their religious rules.
As Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (v. 8). He revealed that traditions should never replace the wisdom of Scripture.
A genuine desire to follow God (vv. 6–7) will focus on the attitude of our heart rather than outward actions.
It’s a good idea to consistently evaluate traditions—anything we hold close to our heart and follow religiously. The things that God has revealed to be truly needed should always supersede traditions.
By: Katara Patton
INSIGHT
Mark’s gospel is unique in several ways. It presents the Savior as the divine Servant. It’s held by many conservative scholars to be the recollections of Simon Peter and is the most action-oriented of the Gospels, causing many to see it as intended for a Roman audience.
This assumed Roman audience may also account for Mark’s concern in explaining some Jewish ritual practices (see Mark 7:3–4)—explanations which aren’t needed in Matthew’s gospel and its assumed Jewish audience.
Ultimately, Mark’s account, which begins, “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (1:1), reveals Jesus as the One who said, “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (10:45).
By: Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
What are some of the traditions you hold fast to? How do they line up with what’s revealed in Scripture?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
When a “good’ tradition devolves into a ritual, it loses its significance.”
“So, the LORD will spell out his message for them again, one line at a time, one line at a time, little here, and a little there…” Isaiah 28:13
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“It’s a good idea to consistently evaluate traditions—anything we hold close to our heart and follow religiously…”
PRAYER
“Heavenly Father, help me to follow Your commands and to forgo any tradition that conflicts with the Scriptures.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“TRUST IN THE LORD” Mark Altrogge
My father said, “Don’t forget my teaching
But hold on tight to my commands
For long life and peace they will add to you
Don’t let love and kindness leave you
Write them down upon your heart
And God and people will smile on you”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He’ll make straight all your paths
Trust in the Lord
My father said, “Don’t be wise in your eyes
But fear the Lord and turn from sin
And God will heal you and give you strength”
Look to Jesus to be your treasure
He’s worth more than jewels and gold
For He’s more precious than anything
Jesus, You’re my confidence,
Jesus, You’re my hope
You will keep my feet from stumbling
Jesus, You’re my confidence,
Jesus, You’re my hope
You will keep my feet from stumbling
I’ll trust in the Lord with all my heart
And will not lean on my own understanding
In all my ways I’ll acknowledge Him
And He’ll make straight all my paths
Trust in the Lord
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023
Leviticus 26-27
Mark 2