The most amazing teacher to ever walk the Earth didn’t have to teach. He chose to teach, because He lives us and always will…
Mark 7:1-23
1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])
5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”
6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b]
8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[c] your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[d] and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[e] 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]
17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
It is not what goes in but what comes out of our bodies that defiles. In this way Jesus tells us that who we really are will come through in our actions, both in public and in private. It is so refreshing to here our Creator tells us how to love and live. It’s a handbook for life. He says to not fret the small stuff. Our little rules are just that, little. Let them go. The ceremony didn’t please Jesus then, and it does not please Him today.
What will please Jesus is love for Him and making sure that He is a part of your day and a part of your life. He is first, and we are second. Don’t mix that order up. All belongs to Him. Pray to Him and thank Him everyday. If you are walking, talking, and healthy, it is time to get off the sideline and enter the game. This game has eternal impmications, as those who wait until it’s too late will be left with nothing. Make a choice today.
Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior today. Contact me and I can show what He has shown me. It will blow your mind and it’s all free. The most valuable and precious gift ever given belongs to us. It’s time to RECIEVE it NOW! #JesusSaves
Amen
DK
Faith vs. Sight 