GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 7:13
Supersession
Supersession
A reporter told the story of an insurance company that refused to pay for a child’s treatment because the treatment didn’t meet the company’s criteria for what was “necessary.” The company’s policy superseded the needs of the child.
Two hunters were lost in a severe snowstorm when they came to a cabin. There was no one in the cabin, so the men broke a window in the door to unlock it. There was wood stacked near the cabin, so they carried in wood, built a fire, and saved their lives. “Breaking and entering” is a crime, but in this case, avoiding death in the storm superseded breaking the law. They were arrested for breaking the law, but the judge let them off with a fine.
A report told of a charity that turned people away because they lacked proper identification. In other words, required paperwork superseded feeding the hungry.
According to Mark, Jesus drew attention to one of the traditions practiced by the Pharisees and scribes—Corban—to deny aiding their parents, while honoring one’s parents was a law of God. He told them, “Thus you nullify the Word of God by your hand-me-down tradition. And you do many such similar things.” (Mark 7:13) The Pharisees allowed a tradition to supersede the Word of God.
Supersession is an everyday problem—speeding to avoid being late for an appointment—avoiding lateness superseded breaking a speeding law; cheating on an exam in order to meet college enrollment requirements—advancement superseded integrity; exaggerating expenses on an IRS form in order to keep more money—enrichment superseded honesty; turning in exaggerated expense vouchers in order to get a larger reimbursement—money superseded rectitude; and, yes, allowing a tradition to nullify or supersede the Word of God.
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