Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Who Do You Honor?


"For you (the Pharisees) ignore God's law and substitute your own tradition." Then he (Jesus) said, "You skillfully sidestep God's law in order to hold on to your own tradition. For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: 'Honor your father and mother,' and 'Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.' But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, 'Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.' In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others." Mark 7:8-13

One of the Ten Commandments is...“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Exodus 20:12. That is a commandment, not a tradition. What does it mean to honor? To respect, to hold in high regard, to be devoted, to admire, or someone for whom you have high esteem. For whom do you feel that way? Who do you honor? Jesus quoted that to the Pharisees, as well as Exodus 21:17 (NASB)…And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. Death for disrespect. That is pretty tough—but God expects respect and honor among His people and it is explained that the person who does that brings death upon themselves (Leviticus 20:9).

We’ve just celebrated Mother’s Day—a day promoted by the card companies to sell more cards for their profit. What started as a day to honor a lady for her work and service to soldiers in the Civil War became a commercialized day where giving gifts of candy, flowers, jewelry, paraphernalia and cards are overwhelming popular. Does that honor the Mothers? Probably no more than a handwritten note or a sincere “Thank You”…“I love you”…or just “Happy Mother’s Day.” The Jews of Jesus time were disregarding their needy parents. We see that all too often today in the United States. Nursing homes are crowded and clients there are infrequently visited by their families. What became of keeping Grandpa and Grandma at home and caring for them? You may be wondering what will happen to you in your old age. Plan ahead.

The “tradition” in my family was not to institutionalize the parents…although after a stroke my paternal Grandmother did have to go to live in a nursing home. She was visited daily by multiple family members, but her body was worn out and it was only a short time before she died. When my mother-in-law couldn’t be cared for alone in our home, we found a group home with five other senior adults and she chose to go live there. We visited her on a daily basis, too. Maybe it is not the quantity of visits that are important…but the quality. What do people do with their time when they get to be 90 years old? A few that I know are still driving, swimming, exercising, going to Bible studies, reading, playing cards or computer games, and living life to the fullest. That is how I want to be when I am 90 years old. We choose how we live—respecting others and ourselves. Choose wisely—how you live today will impact not only how long you live, but the quality and quantity of life. I guess I don’t have to tell you that…you are smart enough to know it. What really matters is if Jesus is in your life. Choose wisely. Choose Jesus.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, You cared for and honored Your Mother—we should do the same. Above all You’ve honored Your Heavenly Father…we should do the same. You are truly what matters in life—I choose to live to honor You…to be like You. Although my parents are no longer living…I choose to honor their memory and especially the relationship my Mother had with You. You, God, are worthy of our love and devotion.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 13-15
© 2018 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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