Tim addresses Mark 7:1-23, where the Pharisees come to Jesus asking why his disciples don’t practice ritual hand washing before meals. Jesus doesn’t get upset that the Pharisees are obsessively following laws, but because they are not sticking closely enough to the law. Their traditions are getting in the way of God’s commandments. What are the Pharisees doing here? They seem to be wanting the people to remain focused on God, and to refrain from assimilation in the midst of foreign enemies dwelling among them. The intent of these traditions was not harmful, and Jesus knows that. But these Pharisees arrive from Jerusalem, the power center. And while the intent of the customs wasn’t harmful, they are creating a functional hierarchy. The Pharisees want Jesus and his men to be more separate from the population — more holy and set apart. Jesus is pointing out that their practices are doing things that they did not anticipate or expect. What practices might we have that do the same?

Hear more as Tim looks challenges us to better live out our value of consensus, and some stories that give flesh to these lessons.