PHARISEE ALERT

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash [their] hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And [when they come] from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, [as] the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. (Mark 7:1-7).

It’s a simple issue, isn’t it? Jesus should have just told His disciples to wash their hands before they eat. That would have just solved the problems, wouldn’t it? At least obeying this tradition would solve problems of hygiene .
Jesus refused to take the easy route. Tradition no matter how good is not gospel. The elders are great people but “sayings of the elders” doesn’t translate to the gospel.
It’s a pharisaic attitude to think that cultural standards are automatically gospel standards. Jesus said that if you teach for doctrine the commands of men your worship is in vain. Jesus expanded this thought in verse 15 of the same text.

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. (Mar 7:15)kjv
There is nothing outside the man which, going into him, is able to make him unclean: but the things which come out of the man are those which make the man unclean. (Mar 7:15)BBE



Pharisees emphasize the externals. Men shouldn’t put on earrings or should they? We should all put on formal clothes in “church” or should we? Jeans or suits, whichever, whatever. Signs of the Pharisee spirit. Guys shouldn’t cover their heads while praying or God will get angry? All externals. All Pharisee.

One key word in life is the word “respect”. Let’s leave people to live. Wear what you want. Music? Fast ,slow, rock, reggae whichever, whatever your beat is the beat.
My tastes are different from yours. Different strokes for different folks. Be yourself. The fact that I don’t like boiled eggs doesn’t mean I should stop you from having them.

Jesus left us His love not His accent not His dress style. There is no Christian dress style but moderation [even that is relative].

Live and let’s live. I don’t want to be a Pharisee, do you?