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. The intent of these traditions was not harmful, and Jesus knows that. But while the intent wasn’t harmful, they were creating a 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. What practices might we have that do the same?

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