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“In vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Isaiah 29:13) Throughout the Gospels, we come across the phrase “traditions of men” several times, This refers to the Oral Law which was the rabbis’ interpretations concerning how to live as a good Jew. It expanded upon the Law given by God on Mount Sinai but came from the mind of man not the mouth of God. These ‘commandments of men’ were recorded in a book called The Mishna. It contains 63 tractates (groups of writings) broken into 6 Orders covering 525 chapters and 4200 detailed laws. They cover subjects as diverse as business ethics, the Sabbath, agricultural laws, marital issues, festivals… in fact almost every subject under the sun. Life became restrictive and burdensome for the Jews, having to remember and act upon so many regulations. Each day consisted of carrying heavy burdens not laid down by God but added to by man. Was life really meant to be as difficult as that? Actually, no. The Old Testament itself painted a different picture; one of compassion. “A bruised reed He will not break. And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish.” (Isaiah 42:3) He forgives all my sins, and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death, and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly… The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. (Psalm 103:1-5, 8) Into this scene walks Jesus. Unlike the rabbis and Pharisees who wanted to lay heavy burdens on people, Jesus said; Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) The people were to learn that Jesus’ mission was not one of condemnation but of mercy. We see Jesus healing on the Sabbath and in doing so, breaking one of the 4200 ‘laws’. He allowed his disciples to eat from the cornfields on the Sabbath which was again forbidden by the ‘teachings of men’. When questioned about it, Jesus proclaimed the radical, yet liberating, statement: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) What a breath of fresh air this must have been to so many people who had trudged their way wearily through life, broken in spirit by the weight of ‘the traditions of men’. The hymn writer William Cowper once said: “Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will”. Thank God for compassion, thank God for mercy, thank God for freedom. Pauline Anderson
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God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance. (Romans 2:4) I woke one day recently with the words of a Graham Kendrick hymn that I hadn’t heard or thought of for years going through my mind. We’ll walk the land with hearts on fire And every step will be a prayer Hope is rising, new day dawning Sound of singing fills the air. Let the flame burn brighter In the heart of the darkness Turning night to glorious day Let the song grow louder As our love grows stronger Let it shine, let it shine. It’s a triumphant hymn. Many will be able to identify with these words as they walk from day to day with the fire of love for, and dedication to, God burning inside them. However, as I thought about this, I also realised that, for some others, these words will bring sadness because they are echoes of bygone days when their spiritual lives were more vibrant than now. The fire that once blazed has burned low. But for those in this condition, there is hope. Reading Spurgeon’s powerful appeal to those whose fire has grown cold to return to their Lord and Saviour, there is an overwhelming sense of God’s compassion as He woos his lost sheep. It made me wonder how any could refuse to answer His call to walk in the footsteps of the prodigal son. If you know today that your fire is burning low, even if you don’t understand how God could welcome you, even if you can’t get your head around His extraordinary graciousness you can still make a decision to accept it. Don’t let doubts or the awareness of your unworthiness cause you to fail to accept God’s forgiveness. Failing to accept God’s forgiveness is often due to pride and stubbornness. If someone came and offered you a beautifully wrapped box, opened it, and inside it lay all the money you needed for the rest of your life, I am sure it would not take much persuasion to accept that box. You may not understand why the gift is given, may in-fact be totally perplexed , but almost everyone would accept such an offer. Friend, is it any more difficult to accept that: “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18) Come to Christ today. Speak to Him of your sorrow for your sin and very soon, you too will find yourself singing these words; Let the flame burn brighter In the heart of the darkness Turning night to glorious day Let the song grow louder As our love grows stronger Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Pauline Anderson |
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Struthers Memorial Church is a registered Scottish Charity No. SC 006960 | Struthers Memorial Church is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland Company No SC335480 | Registered Office: 33 West Stewart Street, Greenock, PA15 1SH. |