Word@Work 084 - Mark 7:14-15
Published: Mon, 03/17/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 7:14-15 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean'." (NIV)
In 1791, John Wesley wrote: "Slovenliness is no part of religion. Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness." He meant that respect for God should result in personal disciplines - habits that honoured the body and life that God had given. But for the Jews around Jesus, ceremonial cleanliness was the way to get God to honour them! It was a sort of obsessional compulsive behaviour that marked their deranged thinking - the result of false teaching welcomed by DIY ('if I do it I will stay in control') spirituality.
Jesus had a big point to make. Uncleanness was not about food hygiene, it came from pollution that was already in the 'heart'. The 'heart' is, of course, not the physical blood pump, but the part of us that holds our deep desires. An unclean desire will soon be seen; it will find expression in what we say and do, and how we relate to others. God sees the depth of our rottenness, but everyday life reveals our hearts, in its challenges, conflicts and ambitions.
We may not be obsessive about the Old testament food laws, but we may have all sorts of religious habits that we hope will cover up the reality of our hearts. Even energetic ministry to children, devotion at the prayer meeting or serving as a church officer ... none of these are a substitute for getting our hearts right with God. Perhaps that might be a focus of our attention this week before Easter - because we really do need to be usable in the work of the Gospel, don't we?
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for this fresh opportunity to think about the state of my heart and its desires. Help me to be honest with You and to be willing to let You point out where deep cleaning is needed. I cannot do that myself or in my own strength, but I do want to repent of sin and be restored to full usefulness. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
In 1791, John Wesley wrote: "Slovenliness is no part of religion. Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness." He meant that respect for God should result in personal disciplines - habits that honoured the body and life that God had given. But for the Jews around Jesus, ceremonial cleanliness was the way to get God to honour them! It was a sort of obsessional compulsive behaviour that marked their deranged thinking - the result of false teaching welcomed by DIY ('if I do it I will stay in control') spirituality.
Jesus had a big point to make. Uncleanness was not about food hygiene, it came from pollution that was already in the 'heart'. The 'heart' is, of course, not the physical blood pump, but the part of us that holds our deep desires. An unclean desire will soon be seen; it will find expression in what we say and do, and how we relate to others. God sees the depth of our rottenness, but everyday life reveals our hearts, in its challenges, conflicts and ambitions.
We may not be obsessive about the Old testament food laws, but we may have all sorts of religious habits that we hope will cover up the reality of our hearts. Even energetic ministry to children, devotion at the prayer meeting or serving as a church officer ... none of these are a substitute for getting our hearts right with God. Perhaps that might be a focus of our attention this week before Easter - because we really do need to be usable in the work of the Gospel, don't we?
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for this fresh opportunity to think about the state of my heart and its desires. Help me to be honest with You and to be willing to let You point out where deep cleaning is needed. I cannot do that myself or in my own strength, but I do want to repent of sin and be restored to full usefulness. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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