Rules are for Men, not Men for Rules: One Year Bible Reading for February 24

 Today we read the following verses in the One Year Bible:

Leviticus 15:1-16:28
Mark 7:1-23
Psalm 40:11-17
Proverbs 10:13-14

Let's look at Mark 7, which also reflects on the (pretty gross) readings from Leviticus. The Pharisees ask Jesus why His disciples don't follow the ritualistic hand washing ceremonies that was the custom of the Jewish people during His time. He told them that they're "washing the outside" of their containers but not the inside. In other words, they're following the format of what they were told to do but they've forgotten what it's all for.

This is easy to do for us humans. We often cling to the rules even when we forget why the rules were made to begin with. God made all of the rules, the ten commandments and all of the associated levitical laws in the Old Testament, to make life better for everyone. Not to be ritualistically followed. Not so that whose who blindly follow the rules can look down their noses at those who have dirt on theirs. The (gross!) rules in Leviticus 15 are to keep everyone healthy and happy, not to make those men ostracized and scapegoated by their community. 

So let's remember that today. Is going to church important? Of course it is! Should we look down our noses at those who don't go to church and think they're nasty sinners and aren't as good as we are? Ask yourself honestly. Should we?

God, thanks for reminding us of the reason behind the rules.