Title Gorban? /Mt 15:1-9
Matthew 15:1-9 Gorban?
As we already know, filial piety is God's command and God's law. It is the foundation of humanity and the evidence of being human. Some have said that finding a character among the disobedient is no different than finding a rose in a pile of garbage. However, in our society, the value and importance of filial piety are gradually being lost, and even within the church, the tradition of beautiful filial piety is fading. Isn't it contradictory to think that it is natural to receive filial filial piety from my children and expect it to do so but fail to fulfill the duty to my parents as before?
German thinker Eric Fromm, in his book The Art of Love, defined love as “love is concern, responsibility, understanding and devotion to the other.” As we raise our children and love them, we can easily see this. However, although they know about their parents, they do not do it, and they feel the need but only think about things that are too big or far away, and often miss the opportunity of true filial piety. Therefore, today, I would like to summarize three or four things that we can practice closest to our parents.
I. Meeting you is filial piety.
Visiting distant parents at least once or twice a year is actually the filial piety that parents are most pleased with. Although there is a good custom of visiting their hometown to the extent that it is said that 30 million people migrate during the holidays, they are truly happy when they visit them, talk with them, and look at their circumstances more realistically. At that time, it is better to take your grandchildren with you instead of going alone. When it is difficult, call often and write letters. Parents want to be with their children. You are curious about your children. They want to be part of the conversation their children are having.
In fact, the older you are, the more often you repeat the story, and sometimes you only talk about what you think. It is not easy to listen to your parents. Sometimes I get annoyed. However, it is an unavoidable physiological phenomenon. Although this task is not easy, let's always discuss and tell the stories of the family, children and grandchildren, listen to the Word, and do our best to do this.
II. Filial piety is to care and take care of you.
The Bible tells us to honor our parents. Prepare delicious food, wear comfortable and nice clothes, give pocket money regularly, meet friends, and at least do the things you want to do. It's a specific thing to do. In particular, our parents' generation did not have time to prepare for their old age. Our parents, who have lived through the most difficult times of the times, such as the Japanese colonial period, the 6.25 riots, and the Barley Pass, lived with the determination not to leave this hunger pain for their children alone. Naturally, they came to old age without being able to prepare for the changed world due to the nuclear family, thinking that old age is the responsibility of their children.
It is the natural duty of children to take care of these parents. If parents were unable to prepare for their old age on their own in a state where the social security system was not as well developed as in the West, it is now the responsibility of the children. Taking good care of our parents in their old age without distinction of sons and daughters is a practical way of filial piety that we must practice.
Ⅲ. Filial piety is to give you eternal happiness.
Our parents, who were born in turbulent times and suffered so much when they were young, and then face the situation of being disrespected again due to a change in society and culture when they grow old, to give them eternal life and to enjoy happiness in heaven even after they have passed away. Wouldn't that be the best filial piety for children?
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we remember Jesus' words well. Those words make our parents realize that giving eternal life is the best filial piety. For this work, pray without ceasing, take care of us with love, and introduce the kingdom of God. This is truly precious. Our parents, who lived their lives for their children, do whatever their children tell them to do when they grow old. I have lived with a different religion all my life, but I said, “Mother, I believe in Jesus, and it is so good that I believe. Let's believe together and go to heaven. Let's go to church now." Most parents recommend that their children be good, so they throw away the idols they worshiped and go to church when they say that their children will be well and blessed. Praying for the souls of your parents and helping them to be saved, please remember in your heart that this is filial piety among filial piety.
What is the origin of the word 'gorban' in the text? There was good food. I have to give it to my parents, but it's a waste to give. So, it is God's law to honor your parents, but because God is greater than your parents, you were cleverly exempted from violating the commandments by saying that you couldn't give because you were honoring God. This was the tradition taught by the elders at the time. What does Jesus say to them? He rebuked them for their hypocrisy and hypocrisy, rebuking them, saying, “How can a person who does not honor his parents whom he has seen with his eyes honor God, whom he has not seen?”
The culmination of our Christian filial piety begins with the cross of Jesus. The filial piety of Christianity goes beyond the simple ethical dimension and is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ on the cross. The cross of Jesus was a concern for the soul. The cross is the responsibility of man for his sins and the understanding of his limitations. The devotion to giving even life to save mankind was shown through the cross of Jesus. Therefore, when we believe in, experience, and be sure of the cross of Jesus Christ, true ethics can begin here and the spirit of true filial piety can be established.
Do you remember the story about Goryeojang that you heard as a child? When the son left his old mother in the deep mountains and was about to come, the mother summoned the son and said, “I have been cutting branches all the time since I came here to avoid getting lost in the deep mountains where the sun is setting, so see it and go home.” remember. Also, he is about to leave his father with his grandson, but the grandson lifts his weight. “This boy, you are unlucky. Let it go.” “My father too, when he gets old, I have to carry this burden and throw it away, so I will take it with me.” Some say that after hearing this, the son brought his father back to his home. Today, we hear stories about the modern version of Goryeojang. How are you guys doing? Visiting often and sharing the Word, working together to take responsibility for our parents’ old age, and evangelizing their parents so that they can stop all their toil and worries on this earth and gain eternal life are the best filial piety we must practice today. wouldn't you?