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
God speaks a word from the outside in order that it becomes a word inside us, unseating our intentions and seating us to feast on God’s grace, God’s mercy and God’s righteousness. In the Meal, we receive into our own bodies Jesus’ body and blood. We receive that which we could not make or earn ourselves: forgiveness and new life. From the table we rise, taking Jesus into our world through our flesh.
Prayer
God who doesn’t look at appearances, you bid your people to listen and understand. Speak to us through your gospel of death and new life, that we may turn from that which defiles, destroys, ruins and mars ourselves and our neighbors. Through Jesus Christ, who defiled himself for our sake, taking on flesh, taking our sin and leading us to you. Amen.