Tinker, Tailor, Soldier...

The presidential race is big news - debates, attack ads, image control and high priced advisors.

Praise God that the selection of godly leaders for the church is not this kind of circus. Our goal is to glorify God by choosing as He would choose. We need to be thoughtful and careful in who we select for church leadership.

Traditions

The Pharisees were constantly on Jesus' case for one thing or another. In Mark's gospel they attack him for claiming to forgive sins and later for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Now they are attacking his disciples for not keeping the traditions of the jewish community.

In each case, Jesus answers these attacks with displays of his divine power and wisdom. He shows them how their traditions are inadequate and sometimes at cross purposes with God's priorities.

We all live by traditions. We should think long and hard about whether our traditions are interfering or helping with our obedience to Christ.

Hospital For Sinners

The Pharisees were very concerned about righteousness. They would never do anything that would defile them and they were outraged when Jesus gathered to eat with tax collectors and sinners. How could he do such a thing?

Jesus' reply was a rebuke - "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners."

It is possible for us to have a bad attitude toward sinners - when we are supposed to have Jesus' attitude toward them.