10 C's #5: Honor your parents, part b
As in all institutions, clever hair splitters had found religious reasons to avoid honoring parents which really irritated Jesus.
Mark 7:9-11
Of course, the weaseling was in regard to money. Jesus was irritated that these religious leaders preferred people, and offered them a salve for their consciences, give their cash to them, as God's representatives, than use that money to care for their parents. There is no religious exemption, because it is the religious duty to honor our parents. There is never a caveat regarding the merit of the parents. They raised us, we owe them honor. Honor sometimes cost money as well as pride and convenience. Dishonor of parents is so important it deserves capital punishment. Who knows how often this was enforced in Israel. It is never recorded in the Bible.
When we honor our parents we honor our God. When we dishonor our parents we disobey God and disrespect his choice to give us to them. Forgive us for our hubris Lord.
Mark 7:9-11
Then he said, "You reject God's laws in order to hold on to your own traditions.
For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: 'Honor your father and mother,' and 'Anyone who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.'
But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, 'Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I could have given to you.'
You let them disregard their needy parents.
As such, you break the law of God in order to protect your own tradition. And this is only one example. There are many, many others."(NLT)
Of course, the weaseling was in regard to money. Jesus was irritated that these religious leaders preferred people, and offered them a salve for their consciences, give their cash to them, as God's representatives, than use that money to care for their parents. There is no religious exemption, because it is the religious duty to honor our parents. There is never a caveat regarding the merit of the parents. They raised us, we owe them honor. Honor sometimes cost money as well as pride and convenience. Dishonor of parents is so important it deserves capital punishment. Who knows how often this was enforced in Israel. It is never recorded in the Bible.
When we honor our parents we honor our God. When we dishonor our parents we disobey God and disrespect his choice to give us to them. Forgive us for our hubris Lord.
Comments