The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?"
He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions . . . Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them . . . For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come - sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy slander, arrogance, and folly."
Mark 7: 1-8, 15, 21-22
There's something nutty about being more concerned about godliness than God.
J.I. Packer
Read
Mark 7:1-23; Zechariah 3:1-10
Reflect
What is one of your favorite family traditions?
What details from this weekend's message jumped out at or challenged you?
What are some of the signs that you've fallen into the trap of religion?
How are you going to take in the Word of God this week?
What parts of your heart do you need to ask Jesus to fix?
What steps can you take to set your focus on Jesus this Easter season?
Do
Visit thecrossing.church/lent. God has clothed you with his righteousness. Obey and worship Him out of gratitude this week.