WASH your Hands!

Genesis 44...Joseph's dream is coming to pass. The brothers are bowing at his feet, and Joseph has complete authority over them....the story of Joseph's love for his brothers and his bringing them back into relationship, at this point seems like sweet justice, but you can tell from his emotion.... Joseph is torn up about it.
Being in right relationship with those around us is critical, being in right relationship with family members ordained of God. Families that harbor hatred, or dissent, or just animosity cannot be pleasing to God. God used a series of events to restore a relationship, or a few family relationships prior to coming to Austin. There had been a rift for years causing my mom and her sister....to barely speak. Through the death of an aunt this year....and subsequently our asking them (my uncle and aunt) for help for us and Austin New Church.... God really put his hand of healing on the relationship there....with our cousins and although we have "said" we have loved them through the whole turmoil.... we felt that both ways at Christmas.

Mark 7: Wash your hands! Jesus wasnt saying this was a bad idea.....so wash them, not because it makes you unclean.....but because it makes you NASTY if you dont.

Mark 7: 11-13
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), 12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. 13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Corban is a word that literally translates 'sacrifice' and the word was used to describe a sacrifice (blood sacrifice or other) made to God. The Talmud ( record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, customs, ethics and history) states that Jews made practice of 'calling' Corban on stuff they never intended to give to God...and when faced with honoring their parents some Jews would call Corban as if to say....Mom, Dad, you know I want to honor you....but I am sacrificing this stuff I would have given to honor you....to God, but then never really give it to God either (keeping it in their own possession)

Jesus is hitting these guys right in the gut, calling them out on stuff they know they have done... the sad thing about it.... we withhold from God all the time. No wonder Jesus wasn't a popular guy with the Pharisees. Jesus called them out in public.

God I know you desire mercy, not sacrifice....so I pray for extra measures of that...because I lack mercy. Father I thank you for restored relationships, and I thank you for wanting to, and continuing to lavish your children with blessings. We are so undeserving, yet so thankful. Please God, continue to be with us at Austin New Church as we try to be your hands and feet. Go before us this weekend and make yourself known.