February 7 |Mark 7:17-23

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DAILY READING

Mark 7:17-23

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REFLECTION

Mirrors

by Katie Borden

Have you ever lied to yourself about… yourself?

I’m in a season of life where I’m more intentionally holding up the mirror to my heart and reflecting on what’s really there. (...Well, actually God in his kindness has so gently held up that mirror…) 

I’ve wanted to think of myself as a kind, joyful person–and when I look into the mirror I notice that I’m secretly harboring anger.

I’ve wanted to think of myself as a person with humility–and when I look into that mirror I am confronted with an insidious pride that has been lurking undetected in my inner being. The irony of all of this is that my lack of awareness of (or lack of admittance to) these sinful patterns has actually given them more power in my life.

We’ve heard Jesus say that what goes into a person doesn't defile them. We may be tempted to think, Cool. That should make avoiding defilement easier. But in the words of coach Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend!"

The kicker is what he says next in v. 20-23. What comes from within us, what comes from in our hearts is the stuff that cuts us off from true life with God. This pretty comprehensive list that Jesus rattles off is full of things that steal, kill, and destroy our lives, and if we’re truly honest, when we read that list, we all recognize something that’s defiling us. There is no way to "try harder" to avoid it; we're all captive by the sin in our hearts.

This passage can act like that mirror on our hearts, reflecting uncomfortable truths about ourselves. How kind it is that God would open our eyes to our own sin! When I see what’s really there, I am confronted with my absolute need for the Spirit’s regenerating work in my life. And thank God for the Spirit’s regenerating work in my life to do what I cannot–to cleanse, regenerate, and transform my heart.

PRAYER

Consider spending some extended time “looking into the mirror” with God today. Offer those uncomfortable things to God in honesty, and ask for his Spirit to bring his life into these places. Then thank him for his good news that he meets us and transforms us in even these places, because he loves us so dearly.

February 6 |Mark 7:9-15

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DAILY READING

Mark 7:9-15

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REFLECTION

Drive us to You, O God!

by Mary Kate Hipp

The law as we read in Scripture has two main purposes: 1) to promote good and restrict evil and 2) to drive us to Christ. In our reading for today, we see Jesus trying to teach this very point to the elders. These are the very elders who committed their entire lives to studying the letter of the law. These pious elders believed that if they followed and enforced the law, they would gain favor with the Lord. However, Jesus is teaching that it is not so much about following the letter of the law as it is about being driven to God.

Yes, it is important to respect and provide for one's father and mother, but the point of the law is not to dictate our lives and miss the freedom of the Gospel. The point is to drive us to our great need for Christ.

Surrounding our passage for today are a plethora of narratives. These narratives seem to be told in a pattern: a miracle of Jesus, great faith produced, a miracle of Jesus, great faith produced, a miracle of Jesus, and so on and so forth. It is also of note that these narratives primarily pertain to gentiles, or they occur in regions densely populated by gentiles--people who have little to no knowledge of the law. Notice how this passage is juxtaposed with these narratives. We are drawn to see the painful misunderstanding of the Jewish elders, who above all should understand faith.

May you not be caught up in tradition and law, but may the Lord transform your heart to have the childlike, uninterrupted faith of the Gentile woman (Mk 7:24-30) or those who witnessed the healing of the deaf and mute (Mk 7:37).

Don't get me wrong, the law matters However, if the law hinders you from the freedom and life of the Gospel, then what does it matter that you followed the law? Don't miss the Gospel in the busyness of the law. Friends, have faith! Rest in the Gospel! Hold not onto tradition or to law but onto the loving-kindness of the Lord. It matters more what comes out of our hearts than what laws we fill our minds and hearts with.

PRAYER

Lord, lead us today to relinquish our love of tradition and law. May we fall into the freedom of Your Gospel. Amen.

February 5 | Mark 7:1-8

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DAILY READING

Mark 7:1-8

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REFLECTION

The Role of Human Tradition

by Pr. Dave Mann

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were more concerned about observing the traditions of the day than they were in following the Lord. 

The motivation and tradition of washing hands and eating vessels had nothing to do with personal hygiene, which we observe today because of our knowledge of the danger of microbes. It was about cleansing themselves of spiritual stain, i.e., rubbing shoulders in the crowded marketplace with defiled people (sinners, prostitutes, and tax collectors). It was a ceremonial pouring of a certain amount of water in a certain way while reciting certain words. These washings were commanded by tradition, not by Scripture.

The main point of Jesus is found in verse 8: “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” What are the commands of God that these leaders were not observing? See Matthew 22:37-40. Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Christian followers of Jesus all over the world in diverse cultures have both Holy Scripture and human traditions which have taken root over the years of religious practice. Human traditions are not necessarily wrong. It is normal for such traditions to develop over time.  Anyone who has worshiped in Christian settings in other cultures knows that the manner of worship can take many different shapes. The singing of songs of praise to God is accompanied only by drums in parts of Africa. Christian songs in India are set to a tonal scale including quarter steps which sound quite out of tune to a Western ear. Men and women sit on opposite sides of the center aisle in Cameroon. Some worship experiences never take an offering, while others take two or three.

The challenge is not to let human traditions take precedence over the commands of God. What human traditions do you have in your spiritual life? Do these traditions enhance your obedience to the Lord, or are you letting them distract you from obeying the commandments that God has clearly given us in Holy Scripture?

PRAYER

Lord of all, I pray you would give me eyes to identify the practices of my Christian walk which are rooted in human tradition, and which are truly of you. I sincerely want my own human traditions to enhance my walk with you. Help me obey you and love you with a pure heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.