People say funny things and in strange ways. I remember a saying my mom would say, “Whatever suits your fancy.” This meant I could make my own choice in the given matter. Every generation has new expressions. Children of the 1960s might say, Groovy or Right on, Daddy-o. In the 1980s, we started calling something good or cool, bad. In the 1990s, maybe they would say For Shizzle. Gen Z slang is constantly evolving, but here’s one. Slay: Meaning: To do something exceptionally well or to succeed at something. For Example: “You slayed that presentation!”
People create their own language and develop customs to “suit their fancy.” These sayings and customs become traditions and are sometimes codified into law. People defend these traditions and will even go to war to preserve their culture. They elevate traditions they have made up to be equivalent to the Word of God. When Jesus walked this earth, he challenged man-made traditions.
Take a look at Matthew 12:1–8 (NLT)
A Discussion about the Sabbath
At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”
3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7 But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ 8 For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
The Pharisees are often criticized for their hypocritical ways. Have you ever noticed how many other people are hypocritical? We do not see our own hypocrisy because we are caught up doing whatever suits our fancy.
Jesus continued to confront his critics throughout his ministry. Take a look at how Eugene Petersen’s paraphrases one such encounter in Matthew 15:6–9 (MSG)
You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye: “These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”
The quote is found in Isaiah chapter 29, verse 13. Thus, there were hypocrites in Isaiah’s day as well.
Some critics of Eugene Petersen’s paraphrase, The Message, think it strays too far from the original languages of the Bible. The story behind Eugene Peterson’s “The Message” is rooted in his desire to connect with his congregation in a more relatable way. Eugene Peterson, a pastor with decades of experience, observed that his congregation was struggling to engage with the traditional language of the Bible. He felt that the formal language created a barrier, preventing people from experiencing the vitality and directness of the original texts. This led him to begin translating passages into contemporary, everyday language, starting with his Sunday school class on Galatians.”The Message” has resonated with many readers who find its language refreshing and engaging. It has also faced criticism from those who prefer more literal translations and raise concerns about its accuracy.
The question is, am I following God’s Word or doing whatever suits my fancy?
New Hope 