Reflection on Mark 7

Mark 7: 1-13

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.”
And he continued,“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (vs. 6-9)

vs. 8- You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.

Jesus is the BETTER interpreter of scripture: He exposes how we intentionally misuse scripture so that we avoid obeying God completely. Jesus explains exactly how we do not take God's word seriously.

May we let God's word expose our sin and may we look to Jesus' life, death and sacrifice as the only salvation that makes life worth living.

Seeking redemption and satisfaction in romance, work, wealth, or fame will never satisfy us

Mark 7: 24-30

Jesus is confronted and persuaded by the Greek woman born in Syrian Phoenicia to heal her daughter.

The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. (vs.26-30).

May we fervently pray and seek Jesus help and healing for us. May we persuade people that no one is beyond God's plan of salvation. May we always ask, beg and plead boldly with hope when we pray!

Mark 7: 31-37

Jesus heals the man who was deaf and could hardly talk in the region of the Ten Cities.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (vs. 33-37)

Jesus is the BETTER healer: Who heals our physical ailments AND also opens up our ears to hear and understand Him and opens our mouths to declare His truth and his love to a world looking for healing and restoration from brokenness.

May our ears always be open to LISTENING to God daily in prayer and from His word.

May our mouths always speak the truth of the good news of God rescuing us through Jesus.