October 19 - Mark 7-9
Most people have a hard time accepting absolute truth. In this passage Jesus presents several truths that were difficult for His disciples and for the people to accept. I urge you to look for those truths and to ask yourself if you have grasped them and accepted them.
Chapter 7 begins with a profound truth, which goes against what most people think. Jesus warned His disciples that it was not what goes into a person's body that defiles him, but it was what comes out of the mouth. (v.15) The reason for this is that what comes out of the mouth shows what is in the heart. (v.21-23) It is what is in the heart that brings the sin, and the sin defiles a person. However, most of the commandments of men and the traditions of the elders focused on the things they ate or drank and how they washed their hands. Jesus told them that they were missing the whole point. We must all look into our hearts to find our spiritual condition.
In chapter 8 the people wanted a sign to show He was from God. They could not see the Truth standing in front of them. Jesus was the Truth in humanity. Why did they need a sign? People think they need proof. That takes away faith. The key is trusting Jesus from your heart, not having your head fully convinced of who He is. The disciples even had a hard time believing that Jesus would die and rise again. Why was that so hard? It was different. It was a new concept. Many people don't like new and different. They like to stay with the familiar. If we do that, we will miss God's truth many times.
In chapter 9 Jesus continues His teaching, but the disciples have a hard time accepting these truths. Look closely to see what God says to you. Can you accept the Transfiguration of Jesus? Can you accept that some things are done only by prayer? Do you know that the greatest of all is the servant of all? Do you know if a person is not against Jesus, he is for Jesus? Do you have salt in yourself and peace with others? All of these are truths that need to be understood and accepted. It is not enough to just read them. We must digest them and live them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Mark 10-12.
Chapter 7 begins with a profound truth, which goes against what most people think. Jesus warned His disciples that it was not what goes into a person's body that defiles him, but it was what comes out of the mouth. (v.15) The reason for this is that what comes out of the mouth shows what is in the heart. (v.21-23) It is what is in the heart that brings the sin, and the sin defiles a person. However, most of the commandments of men and the traditions of the elders focused on the things they ate or drank and how they washed their hands. Jesus told them that they were missing the whole point. We must all look into our hearts to find our spiritual condition.
In chapter 8 the people wanted a sign to show He was from God. They could not see the Truth standing in front of them. Jesus was the Truth in humanity. Why did they need a sign? People think they need proof. That takes away faith. The key is trusting Jesus from your heart, not having your head fully convinced of who He is. The disciples even had a hard time believing that Jesus would die and rise again. Why was that so hard? It was different. It was a new concept. Many people don't like new and different. They like to stay with the familiar. If we do that, we will miss God's truth many times.
In chapter 9 Jesus continues His teaching, but the disciples have a hard time accepting these truths. Look closely to see what God says to you. Can you accept the Transfiguration of Jesus? Can you accept that some things are done only by prayer? Do you know that the greatest of all is the servant of all? Do you know if a person is not against Jesus, he is for Jesus? Do you have salt in yourself and peace with others? All of these are truths that need to be understood and accepted. It is not enough to just read them. We must digest them and live them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Mark 10-12.