Rituals and traditions abound in our lives, whether in our families or in the church. Some of them may have become "sacred" and are considered a must do and get passed down to the next generation. Consider the traditions you might have with celebrating the holidays in your family. It might be terribly difficult to change any of them!
Our Gospel reading for this Sunday (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23) brings us to Jesus dealing with human traditions. The Pharisees and scribes had criticized Jesus' disciples for not washing their hands before eating. There are religious overtones here as opposed to concerns about hygiene. Eating with dirty hands would defile a person.
We note how Jesus responds here: "Listen to me, all of you, and understand; there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Mark 7:14-23
Yes, it's all about the heart. We all need to look within ourselves to the potential that we have for evil. No one is exempt.
The good news here is that our lives can be under control. It is the love of Christ that can control us. His influence can make the difference in terms of our outward behavior. But our hearts must first be right with Christ.
I invite you to meditate upon these words of Jesus and may God's blessing be upon your contemplation and worship this Sunday.
Pastor Marty
Our Gospel reading for this Sunday (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23) brings us to Jesus dealing with human traditions. The Pharisees and scribes had criticized Jesus' disciples for not washing their hands before eating. There are religious overtones here as opposed to concerns about hygiene. Eating with dirty hands would defile a person.
We note how Jesus responds here: "Listen to me, all of you, and understand; there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Mark 7:14-23
Yes, it's all about the heart. We all need to look within ourselves to the potential that we have for evil. No one is exempt.
The good news here is that our lives can be under control. It is the love of Christ that can control us. His influence can make the difference in terms of our outward behavior. But our hearts must first be right with Christ.
I invite you to meditate upon these words of Jesus and may God's blessing be upon your contemplation and worship this Sunday.
Pastor Marty
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