Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“So close … and yet so far,” “Close, but no cigar,” or “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades” (attributed to former Baltimore Oriole Frank Robinson). We use these sayings when someone almost gets the right answer or nearly wins a prize. You probably remember a time when you almost got the job done, but not quite. This often happens when I have a do-it-myself carpentry project … it has almost perfectly square corners.
Isaiah records the Word of the Lord saying, “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me … I will again do wonderful things with this people.” (Isaiah 29:13-14) The people of Israel had taken God’s Word and twisted and bent it. They’d speak God’s Word, but their actions didn’t line up. They were close … and yet so far from God. God desires that His people not just know about and repeat His Word, but that they live their lives in accordance with it.
By Jesus’ time on earth, Temple leaders had developed 613 new rules true Israelites needed to follow to be considered holy. God’s Word had been warped into “the word of man.” Jesus addressed the problem of being “so close … and yet so far” in Mark 7:1-13. The Pharisees and scribes, those knowing the Word of God inside and out, complained that Jesus’ disciples weren’t following the law to perfection by washing their hands before eating. In their minds, the tradition of washing properly was key to earning God’s favor by obeying His will. For the Pharisees and scribes, outside appearances … clean hands, clean pots, clean furniture, and other man-made traditions … were the indicators of holiness. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 to make the point that these outward displays required by man, though based on God’s Word, are only close. They’re still off the mark. What truly matters is what comes from inside a person in response to God’s Word … what is motivated in the heart by the love of God found in His Word. As an example, Jesus cites the 4th Commandment, “Honor your father and mother.” This is God’s Word. But the “word of man” had twisted this Commandment into a practice called “Corban” where a son, though obligated by God’s Word to help His parents in need, could, according to “man’s word,” set aside money for this purpose for a higher purpose … dedicating it and setting it aside for the work of the Temple. Once set aside for this purpose, it couldn’t be used by man anymore. While their actions might seem godly … they missed the mark. They were “close, but yet so far” from God.
God the Father has drawn all of us to Him by the Holy Spirit through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. In response to His grace and mercy, He fills our hearts with His Word. Our actions, informed by His love and Word, overflow from our hearts, showing His love to the world. Words alone are nice, but they are only close … actions reflecting a heartfelt love and trust of God and His Word … that’s on target!
In the Love of Christ,
Pastor Jim