Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (NRSV)
Read Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 7Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, Verse 2they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. Verse 3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; Verse 4and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) Verse 5So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?" Verse 6He said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
Verse 14Then he called the crowd again and said to them, "Listen to me, all of you, and understand: Verse 15there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile." Verse 21For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, Verse 22adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. Verse 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Devotion
The Pharisees question Jesus about his disciples’ lack of proper ritual practices prior to eating food. “Why don’t you keep the purity traditions?” they inquire. You and I know they are not asking an innocent question. The Pharisees are judging Jesus’ followers.
Jesus calls them hypocrites. He says, “The prophet Isaiah was right about your type. ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’” In other words, “You do the ritual correctly, but your resentful, judging hearts aren’t in it.”
Take note of how easy it is for you to judge people by their outward appearances. What is it within you that pushes you to judgment? Is it a way of keeping people who are different at a distance? Jesus says what is really important is what is within a person’s heart. That goes for you and me and that other person we judge.
Prayer
Compassionate God, forgive us. Wash away our resentment, our anger, and our judgment of others. Give us tender hearts open to your love. Give us new eyes to see others as you do. Amen.