The thing that hit me here was the Pharisees and their need to put on good front while their hearts were far from God. And Jesus' assertion that it is not what we put into our bodies that defile us but what comes out. Too often I struggle with a quick temper.
I admire the Gentile woman who understood that Jesus came for the Jews, and seemed not to be offended at being called a dog, but still made her point that even the dogs got the crumbs off the floor. Such an example of faith.
What did you like about this chapter?
I like: "It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart”
ReplyDeleteI know I'm often a "food snob" in that I do everything possible to eat a healthy diet and I sometimes catch myself looking down on someone that regularly eats fast food, thinking "no wonder s/he is sick all the time, etc". But, Jesus is saying that I am missing the real issue. I'm not looking at what is coming from this person's heart. That is what is important. And, in being judgmental, I'm actually defiling myself.
Mark 7
ReplyDelete7 Their worship of me is pointless,because their teachings are rules made by humans.
13 Because of your traditions you have destroyed the authority of God’s word. And you do many other things like that.
God's Word cleanses us from the inside as we read and apply what is written. When man compounds it with "stop doing that, change your dress habits" it sends a confusing message because you change because God has brought it about, not by rules added to it.
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT)
Made Alive with Christ
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
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