Mark 7 - 7.16.25

Scripture: Mark 7:14-15

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” 

Observation

The Pharisees thought they could create rules that must be followed in order to access God, and they thought they could enforce those rules on others. When people failed, it allowed the Pharisees to feel holier and more worthy than others. Those rules and traditions might have started out from God’s commands, but they had strayed far from them. In verse 8 Jesus challenges them, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

Mark 7:21-13 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

The Pharisees recognized that we are a sinful people. They thought they could change hearts by enacting rules. But they didn’t understand that salvation and transformation come only from God.

The Pharisees created roadblocks to accessing God. Jesus came to give access to all.  

Application

When asked what is the most important command, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 37-40.

So Jesus is saying if your focus is first on your relationship with God and then relationship with others, following the other commands will flow naturally from your changed heart.

Focus on relationship with God – if we truly want to serve God, we will spend time with Him allowing Him to transform us daily. Following a list of rules, checking off boxes, doing good deeds will not transform us. Only Jesus can do that.

Focus on relationship with others – love your neighbor as yourself. Show all people the same grace, love, and compassion that you hope to receive from God. Meet them where they are. Show them who Jesus is and how much he loves them. Allow God to change their hearts.

Prayer

Jesus, you know me well and you know how easy it is for me to stray into Pharisee tendencies. Not only do I fight against judging the behavior of others, I struggle with judging others for their judgmental behavior! You are the only one who can change my heart. Thank you for speaking to me and transforming me daily. Please continue your work in me. Please fill me with your spirit and your love and help me to overflow that love onto others. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me and giving me a new start every morning.

- Debbie Dunn