Mark 7:1–13 – A good heart is the source of a good life.
In Sunday’s gospel lesson Jesus comes into conflict with the scribes and Pharisees over the Law and Tradition. To keep from breaking the Law, the scribes announced detailed laws and interpretations. The body of these scribal; pronouncements was known as the “oral law” of the Traditions of the Elders. Later the oral law was put into writing and is known today as the Talmud. Jesus distinguishes between the law o God and the traditions of men. Jesus is asked why he does not require his disciples to observe the tradition by washing their hands before eating. Jesus points to the heart as the source of good living. It is not a matter of dirty hands but a dirty heart. Vices come from a filthy heart and they make a person unclean. On the other hand, a good heart will produce good deeds. These works flow from a changed and cleansed heart.
Repeatedly, the word “defile” is used. It indicates the importance of appearing clean before a holy God. “Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands…” It is the same as saying that a person cannot appear before God with sin. The problem was that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were interested primarily in external and ceremonial cleanliness and Jesus was concerned with internal cleanliness which dealt not with the body but with the heart. 1
Good living comes from a believing heart. The prophet Isaiah had denounced the religious leaders of his day. Jesus uses a quotation from this prophet to describe the tradition of the elders as “rules taught by men.”
Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being overly concerned with man-made observances while failing to fulfill God’s Commandments. Such hypocrisy still abounds, as most people worry more about human opinions that what God thinks. Given our failures in this regard, it is a good thing that the Lord not only commands in His Word, but also graciously forgives and promises goodness. Thus, we ought to pray, “Lord, cleanse us each day from our sins. We thank You that Jesus was made a fragrant, sacrificial offering for us.”
Sources:
Image of the Lord’s Supper, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
1. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
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