Mark 7- What Defiles Us

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There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. Mark 7:15-17

Jesus made the statement “You are defiled by what’s within You” The Religious leaders were very careful to make sure they didn’t defile themselves from the outside by washing their hands, staying away from outsiders or lepers, ect, However Jesus is talking about a heart issue, not a cleanliness issue. 

As Jesus taught in Matthew 5 “Anyone who has already lusted after a woman has committed adultery in their heart” (Matthew 5:28) or “Anyone who hates his brother has already committed murder in their hearts “ (Matthew 5:22) Sin is a heart issue, its not a ritual issue. This is why Jesus stated we defile ourselves from within, Sin begins in our hearts. This is why we need to become Born Again, and have a clean heart and mind

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. Mark 7:18-20

The disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was teaching them, remember they were raised in the Mosaic Law, therefore their mindsets were focused on the food laws and the customs. However Jesus is demonstrating the New Covenant here, by declaring that all foods are clean. Who else could do this but God alone?

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Mark 7:21-23

Jesus revealed to his disciples what he was talking about, its the evil from within that defiles us. Our thoughts, lust, blasphemy, pride, ect. These things contaminate  our hearts and make us perform evil deeds, this again is why we need to become Born Again (John 3)

The religious leaders thought they were righteous based on their outside works, but as Jesus stated they were “Whitewashed Tombs”, nice looking on the outside but dead on the inside, why? Because their hearts and minds were filled with evilness, they were defiled from within!

Mark 7- Traditions vs. God

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Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7:5-7

One of the great debates in Christianity, even today is the traditions of Man vs the commandments of God. The religious leaders truly believed that they were righteous men, over the years they created many man-made traditions and expected the people to keep them or they would be punished. Jesus was eating with “unwashed hands” , the religious leaders felt this was a good time to publicly scold Jesus for not keeping one of their traditions

Now the ironic thing is these men felt they were righteous because they washed their hands before they ate, yet they are also the ones who killed the Messiah. Now which offense is greater? Pretty common sense, Jesus was using the moment to exploit the religious leaders as being hypocritical in their teachings and judgement, as the prophet Isaiah foretold about them.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. Mark 7:8-11

Now are all traditions bad? No of course not, for example most of the Christian Church today still celebrates Christmas for the birth of Christ. Was they ever commanded by Jesus to do? No, is it a harmful thing to do? No, actually a lot of good things come out of focusing on the virgin birth and the gospel of Christ. The only time when tradition becomes bad is when it is in opposition of God’s Law and when its used hypocritically

Jesus brought up the example of Corban, the religious leaders failed to take care of their elderly parents , breaking the commandment to honor your father and mother, instead gave their money to the temple as “Corban”. Jesus showed how hypocritical the religious leaders were, and they loved their religion more than they truly loved God

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Mark 7:13-14

Jesus explained, the traditions of the religious leaders were actually overriding The Law of God, the religious leaders basically we’re creating their own religion. We see this alot today, many groups just keep adding their own traditions and eliminating The Bible. 

We need to make sure everything we do and everything we say, is for the true love of God and not for our own hypocritical ways, Amen!

Mark 6- Be Not Afraid

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And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: Mark 6:47-49

After a long day of preaching and teaching, Jesus did what he always did, he went alone to pray to the Father. While he was praying, the disciples were in a boat when another storm came upon them. Jesus came to help them, but by unstandard means, we has literally walking on water.

When the disciples saw Christ defying the law of nature, they freaked out. Some even thought he was a ghost, but Jesus was revealing how he has power of the natural and the supernatural world. Jesus is Lord of All, just as he demonstrated his authority over the demons, he has the authority over the Heavens and the Earth

For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Mark 6:50-52

Jesus said to them “Be Not Afraid, I am with You” , Jesus is saying the same thing today to his Church. As one theologian said “A scared world needs a fearless Church” , Take Courage, the One who has overcome the world is walking with You! Yes the world is scary, Yes we have troubles and problems, but we also have a Risen Savior!

Notice Jesus immediately stopped the storm, Jesus is in complete control! The world may seem like its in total chaos, however God is still on the throne. The disciples witnessed the miracles of Christ, yet still hardened their hearts, do this sound familiar? Where is your faith?

Maybe you feel like your stuck in the boat right now, maybe your caught in the storms of life, Take Courage , Jesus is with you! Amen!

Mark 6- Feeding The Five Thousand

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And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? Mark 6:34-37

Jesus began drawing major crowds, and he had great compassion for them as the Great Shepherd. At this point Jesus was teaching outside of Jerusalem in the desert, far away from civilization, it was starting to get late in the day and the disciples were worried about feeding all these people!

The disciples first thought was to send everyone away, however Jesus commanded “Give them something to eat” Jesus didn’t turn away anyone as the Good Shepherd. He had compassion and love for his Sheep. Notice the similarity between God feeding the Israelites in the Wilderness and Jesus feeding his people in the Wilderness!

The first thought and response of the disciples is, “How can we feed all these people”? They don’t have money or resources, however Jesus is asking them to have faith and trust in him. Just as he is asking us today to trust him also in the Wilderness!

He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. Mark 6:38-41

Notice the symbolic number of 7 (5 loaves and 2 fish) as we know 7 is the Biblical number of completion. Jesus took whatever they had to offer, blessed it, and multiplied it. This should be a message to the Church, take the gifts that you have, and Christ will bless and use it for Gods glory!

Jesus blessed and broke the bread, does that sound familiar? A foreshadow of the Lords Supper, a foreshadow of his death on the cross. Jesus is breaking bread with his people and having fellowship with them, this is exactly what Communion is all about! Honoring our Lord and having fellowship with each other including Christ!

And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. Mark 6:42-44

Notice the symbolism of the 12 baskets, the 12 Apostles, the 12 tribes of Israel. God doesn’t do anything by mistake, this event is a revelation of who Jesus is and who we are because of Christ

Jesus is your Shepherd, Jesus is providing for you in the Wilderness, have faith in Him Amen!

Mark 6- The Apostles

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And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. Mark 6:7-10

The calling of the Apostles, this is the beginning of Christ’s Church, we can learn alot from them by what Jesus commanded them to do and what authority he gave them. First we notice the symbolic number of 12, the same number of the tribes of Israel. And when you study Revelation you see the 24 elders, the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles coming together in unity. 

Secondly Jesus gave them power and authority over the demons, the same Holy Spirit is living inside of you today! The same power that rose Jesus from the grave is living inside of you (Romans 8:11) They were sent in teams of two, nobody was made to go this life alone. This is why the Church is important, Christ never expected you to do this alone!

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:11-13

So what do you do if you preach the gospel and they reject it? Jesus said “Shake the dust off your feet and move on” Its not our job to save people, we can’t save people only God can. All we can do is sow the seed (preach the gospel) and be the hands and feet of Christ. Anyone who rejects the gospel it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, think about that!

What message did the Apostles preach? Repent! Repent! They didn’t try to be socially acceptable and relevant. They preached the gospel of Christ and that’s it, why? Because Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6) So what power did the Apostles have? They cast out demons and healed people, with no money or no building, they set the world on fire! How? By being filled with the Holy Spirit

Many people question, why don’t we see these works done today? My question would be “Does the Church look or act like the Church of the 1rst Century? NO, so why would you expect a Holy Spirit powered Church today. We need to get back to the basics! Preach the gospel in Jesus name Amen!

Mark 6- Hometown Hero?

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And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. Mark 6:1-4

Many Christians want to be popular with the world, they want everyone to love and accept them. Question is, if your Lord was rejected and killed by the world, why would you expect better treatment? Christians who believe they should be all inclusive and accepting, don’t understand real Christianity. As Jesus said “He didn’t come for peace but with a sword” (Matthew 10:34) What did Jesus mean? He meant the gospel was going to divide people, many will reject it while few will find the way

The Messiah came to his hometown, you would think they would have a parade, right? Wrong, they rejected and opposed Jesus. They made derogatory remarks about his occupation, his family, they basically wrote him off as crazy. Jesus said “A prophet has no honor in his hometown or family” why? Because people don’t understand the transformation power of God and becoming Born Again

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. Mark 6:5-6

 Jesus performed limited healings and miracles in Nazareth, why? Because of the lack of faith among the people. They had hardened hearts and spiritually deaf ears. They rejected Christ, and rejected his gospel. Remember the previous miracles Jesus performed were possible because of the great faith of people in Jesus. 

Back to modern day Christianity, again why do you think you’re going to be popular as a Christian or loved by many? Jesus was tortured and crucified by his own people, and he is our Lord, why do you expect better treatment? 

Jesus said “Deny Yourself, Carry your Cross, and Follow Him” Jesus didn’t say this is your best life now, Jesus said the opposite. This will be your worst life now, until you enter the Kingdom. Suffer for Christ, those who endure till the end will be saved Amen!