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
Who made this mess? One of Charles Schultz’s beloved characters is Pigpen. It seems that wherever humanity goes there is a cloud of dust that seems to follow us like Pigpen, and we want to know why this road dust keeps sticking to us. Who is responsible and who is going to clean up this mess?
Jesus makes clear that we cannot point elsewhere for the responsibility for the mess. It comes from within ourselves. But gospel also makes clear who has the power to clean up this mess. Child of God you are baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says to you in John 15:3 “You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.” So brother and sister Pigpens as you continue down the road of life, know that Christ has and will clean up this mess.
Prayer
Holy triune God of creation, redemption, and wisdom, make us clean. Amen.
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