Good morning people who find your security in God alone

Mark 7:8 NIV You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.

What are you letting go of and what are you holding on to?

The context of this verse is Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law. They were complaining that Jesus and His disciples did not ceremonially wash their hands before eating food.

You might think the rebuke was justified because washing your hands is no big deal. But we must understand what is actually being said here.

In context, the human traditions that the Pharisees and teachers of the law were holding on to were birthed out of a command from God to the children of Israel. This was not them just making up extra laws (although they did do plenty of that). This was legitimate.

So, what is Jesus saying to them?

These people were holding on to the their traditions, while they were missing seeing the Son of God in the moment. Their greatest focus was on tradition, not on God Himself. In effect, it was no longer primarily about the commands of God, but it was about their way of doing things.

I believe God wants to encourage us all at this time to let go of human traditions when God is speaking new words of command.