Jesus is... the lawyer

John Lanchbury | Mark 7:1-23 

[Jesus] continued, ‘You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, “Honour 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. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.’

Jesus' argument with the Pharisees, who believed that serving God was a matter of strict observance of rules, carries a warning for us today, says John. We too can put our own rules and customs before a heart obedience to God. John explains how to avoid falling into the same trap as the Pharisees.

The recording begins with the reading from Pat Clayton.