Mark 7
Hey everyone! This is Miranda. This week we are going to be in Mark 7. In this chapter, Jesus is confronted by the scribes and Pharisees because the disciples did not follow the traditions of the Jews. If you were Jewish, it was required that you wash your hands before eating. This was a tradition instituted by the elders, in addition to other traditions like washing pots and pans before eating from them.
That may seem silly to us because we all wash our dishes and hands. But, the big underlying issue here is, the Pharisees saw their traditions as law and replaced the law of God for their own beliefs. They spent more time focusing on protecting their man-based traditions rather than using God’s commandments as the guide for their actions. Because they were like this, they were very judgmental of anyone who did not hold to their standards. It brings to mind Matthew 7: 3-5 where Jesus preaches about taking the log out of our own eye so that we may take the speck out of our brother’s eye. When you spend all your energy judging someone else, you can’t see that you’re the one who is in need of help.
What I want us to think about this week is: Are there things in our lives that are tradition to us that don’t measure up with what Gods says? Do we pay God lip-service with hearts far from him and worship him in vain, holding to our own traditions instead of His commandments, as verses 6-7 say? What are your thoughts and what stood out to you in this chapter?
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When I think of tradition, I think of Christmas. Decorating, shopping, receiving, that kind of thing. How close are these to how "Christmas" should be? A lot of us are guilty of losing the real meaning and getting caught up in the world's views of how wonderful Christmas is. It's already wonderful without us doing anything. This is the main thing I think of that most of us lose by keeping up with tradition, and in turn, the Joneses.
ReplyDeleteWhat stood out to me was 15 "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him."
The rules and laws were the only things they were concerned about. Outward cleanliness was what mattered, not what was on the inside. It goes along with Erik’s message these past couple weeks. Are we pretty and neat on the outside, but rotten on the inside?
Speaking of clean hands, I remember going fishing when I was young and taking along a sandwich. After baiting a few hooks worm parts would be dried on my hands. Several times I know I eat that sandwich and never thought of washing! Good thing is, Jesus's message is clear, it's what comes out that matters.
ReplyDeleteTraditions, they are everywhere. Christ knew that man would follow his own traditions over the word of God. Amy Ayers hit it sguare with Christmas and staying with the Joneses. What about the Sabbath day? Are we keeping God's day holy or mans??
Traditions I believe have a lot to do with how busy our lives become. The busier the more complicated, the more stressful and on it goes. We are all quility. Christ is coming back. I don't think he cares about what seems important to us. Telling him I was to busy to reach more people. Can you imagine!!
I just learned something that I hadn't seen before, thanks to Pastor Erik! So, I'll share it with you.
ReplyDeleteThe story of the woman with the child who had an unclean spirit.... did any of you know what in the heck that was about? Me either! LOL So, here's what it is: Jesus was telling this woman that first, the Gospel had to go out to the Jews, for the savior would come from the Jews. And then it would go out to the gentiles. He used a metaphor, obviously, when speaking about the bread and the crumbs and the dog. Note: Jesus wasn't degrading this woman by referring to her as a dog, nor was he dismissing her. He merely was putting it into a context that she may be able to grasp. He wanted to see what her response was. And when she said "yes, Lord; but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs," he knew that she was recognizing the fact that first the Jews would hear, then the gentiles. But, and here's the cool thing, she knew that the promises of God were for her too. And because of her faith, Jesus told her to go and her daughter was healed. So... there's a quick lesson for all of us. Thanks, Pastor Erik!
On a side note, the first part of this chapter is my favorite scripture in the Bible, where Jesus talks about teaching traditions as the doctrines of God. We've had many discussions about this. It can also be found in Matthew 15. If you and I have never had that discussion... please come and find me or call me and let's do it. It's one of my favorite topics to discuss about the Bible!
20And he said, (Z) "What comes out of a person is what defiles him"
ReplyDeleteThis verse goes directly along with a study Im doing with my Wednesday night ladies group. We have been learning about how our mouths can keep us in bondage without us even knowing it. That even if we are not complaining or gossiping or saying hurtful things to one another, that if we are not on the flip side of that coin saying positive encouraging loving things we still are not honoring God and what he wants for our lives. I have had to take a HUGE step back and look at myself in that I may not be speaking negatively, but I wasnt speaking positively either. Our words have so much power in our lives, our faith, our relationships. If we stay content in that we think of ourselves as good people because we dont think or speak negative thoughts and we dont spend as much of an effort making sure that we vocalize our praise and thankfulness I think we become stagnant in our walk. Over the past weeks I have come to realize just how powerful what comes out of my mouth can be in both good and bad ways I just have to learn how to reel it in and think before I utter anything!!
(M) "'This people honors me with their lips,
ReplyDeletebut their heart is far from me;
7in vain do they worship me,
This just kept ringing in my ears as I read this passage. I think it's because of the fact that we are the Praise and Worship team, and as we discuss how members of the congregation worship, and if they view us as the "opening act" (discussed in Robbie's blog)and it makes us take a look at how it is that we ourselves worship God, and if our actions match what is coming out of our mouths. And I know that this is referring to Worship in general, and not specifically just music, but I think of the effect that we have on so many people, pulling them into worship by our words and our actions on the stage. I want to be the person that exudes truth each and every time I interact with others, someone that you can plainly see has a heart that is close to God, and my lips just confirm that! I realize the opportunities I've missed to become closer to Him by the words that I say, or choose not to say, and that hurts!
32And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things which is of interest to me is the question, "Why Jesus pulled the man aside privately?" Obviously I can only speculate as to why Jesus did this. My speculation leads me to believe Jesus did this to ask the man, himself, if he believed Jesus could make him well. It wasn't enough the crowd believed Jesus could make him well. The individual has to believe. In terms of today, it's not enough Christians believe and, through the works of the Father, bring others to Christ. The called individual has to believe. Now, this is only speculation. Jesus could have done something else I will never think of... like giving the man a wet willy and touching the man's tounge with an apparently spit saturated finger. I cannot even begin to understand why God healed the man this way. The only thing I reason is to show God doesn't always work the same way. Sometimes a word is good enough, sometimes the touching of his clothing does the trick, and still other times spit or dirt is required. I have no idea why God did things the way He did. I guess some answers are beyond our reach.
I too was struck square in the face with the discussion on our earthly traditions becoming doctrine in our eyes. Having grown up in church, as many of you may have experienced, there are plenty of people in churches who epitimize this depiction. I, at times, have done the very same thing, and unfortunately that has probably had a negative effect on people I have come across. I ask forgiveness for the traditions I place too much importance on and treat as doctrine, and I pray that God will continue to reveal the truth to me and help me with the right words to share and things to say when people discuss those things wiht me.
ReplyDeleteI am also struck by the word used in both of the stories in teh 2nd half of this chapter, and that is "begged". I just can't think of too many times in my life where I was so desperate for God that I begged Him for anything. I want that sense of urgency back!