The Parable Of The Foolish Worshippers
Many do not know that they are being deceived
by their religious leaders,
who are spiritually blind and ignorant.
By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze
The Parable
A Sabbatharian came into the midst of youths who were having free time. They were busy playing or relaxing. Immediately, the Sabbatharian who was also a youth came into their midst, they started criticizing Sabbath. When the Sabbatharian could not endure their utterances any longer, he turned and left them. But, they followed him, saying all kinds of nonsense about Sabbath worship. One of them was a Catholic. Another was Anglican. The third was a Pentecostal. The fourth, a Muslim. Likewise, youths from other religions and churches.
On the way, a wise man met them. He was moving in the opposite direction. On hearing what they were saying against the Sabbatharian, he stopped and called them back. Next, he asked them, “What are you holding in your hands?”
“The Bible,” they replied in unison.
“Very good,” said the wise man.
“Every one of you,” he continued, “open your bible and show me where your religion or church is written inside it.” For a while, all of them were confused. Then, they turned to the copies of the bible in their hands, opening the pages and each searching for his religion or church. One by one, none of them, except he Sabbatharian could find any portion in the bible. Only the Sabbatharian could provided bible references of his religion. First, he quoted Genesis 2:1-3. Second, he quoted Exodus 20:8-11. And three, he quoted Luke 4:16-22. And the wise man said to the rest, “Now, read Matthew 15:7-9, to see what Jesus said about your various religions and churches which are man-made”.
7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 "These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
Matthew 15:7-9
First Reference About Sabbath
Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:1-3
Second Reference About Sabbath
8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11
Third Reference About Sabbath
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said,"Is this not Joseph's son?" Luke 4:16-22