The Trap Of Hypocrisy Series

ESSENTIAL KING JESUS: The Trap of Hypocrisy

MARK 7:6-8

#kingjesus

USE AUDIO BIBLE: Mark Chapter 7:1-37 [5:00]

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Mark.7

INTRODUCTION… It’s a Trap

“It’s a trap!” is a line from Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. The character Admiral Ackbar, while engaging in an ambush on the large dangerous enemy Death Star… an enemy weapon… is informed that enemy ships have arrived after they begin their attack. Realizing that the enemy army was aware of their plans, was waiting, and prepared to defend itself, he exclaims “It’s a trap!”

I think we see something similar happen in Mark 7 which happens over and over throughout Jesus’ ministry. The Pharisees and Teachers of the Law are always trying to trap Jesus in some manner to discredit Him. This passage is one of those times.

The Pharisees and other folks from Jerusalem ask why Jesus’ disciples don’t wash their hands before they eat. This is not an innocent question, but meant to point out that Jesus and His disciples were not following the extra laws the Pharisees set up over the years… often called ‘the traditions of the elders.’

You see, Exodus 30:17-21 prescribes that a basin of bronze was to be made and set up for the priests to wash before they go before the Lord and make sacrifices and minister before the people. Over the years, the religious leaders expanded this for all people before meals and at other times. The ‘tradition’ added to what God commanded.

The people from Jerusalem mean to point out wrongdoing on Jesus’ part. This is meant to weave doubt into the minds of the disciples. The crowds are meant to ask why Jesus acts differently than what is expected. Jesus was not breaking God’s Law in any way, but they made it seem like He was doing just that. The question is a trap.

Jesus does not answer the trap by falling into it, but rather goes on the offensive. He usually asks His own question or wisely sidesteps the trap, but here Jesus goes on the offensive, quotes from Isaiah, and narrows down the issue He sees in the Pharisees. It is an issue that you and I deal with as well.

OLD TESTAMENT BACKGROUND

Before we focus exactly on what Jesus says, I want you to know that what Jesus says to the Pharisees is rooted in Scripture. He directly quotes from Isaiah 29, but Isaiah is not the only book that He is drawing from. Other prophets have said the same thing and had the same message.

READ Amos 5:21-24 (ESV)

“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. 23 Take away from Me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

READ Micah 6:6-8 (ESV)

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

You see there is a temptation for anyone who believes in God and is following Him to do exactly what the Pharisees are doing. The temptation is to go through the motions, only obey the letter of the law, or twist that which is true into something that is not. The temptation is to judge and blame and cast doubt. The temptation is to do religion… not have a relationship.

What they are doing has to do with hypocrisy, lips, and hearts. Those are three key words in the passage we are focusing on in Mark 7 today: ‘hypocrites,’ ‘lips,’ and ‘heart.’

READ MARK 7:6-8 (ESV)

6 And He said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; 7 in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

KEY WORD: HYPOCRITES

I find the word ‘hypocrite’ to be a very interesting word and a distasteful word. I think even when I say the word ‘hypocrite,’ it just sounds bad. I automatically think of it as a bad word or a label that is undesirable. The root of the word comes from theater and describes someone who impersonates and plays a part. It has to do with wearing a mask on stage and pretending to be a character. It means to simulate, pretend, or to fool. A ‘hypocrite’ is pretending to be something we are not.