ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 7 DAY 3
Mark 7:14-19
What Defiles a Person
14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
I love a really good sharp kitchen knife, and I keep mine sharp because using a dull knife is exhausting, and useless. The sharp words of Jesus in today’s passage cut to the heart of the matter quickly, but the disciples were confused and Jesus asked, “Are you so dull?” (Mark 7:18). If you think Jesus was caught up in a pointless debate here look closer; Jesus is asking about the fountain of all thought and actions, the heart.
Do not miss the opportunity today to ask God to sharpen your mind with His spirit and prepare you to take a look at what you are inviting into your life. What you feed will grow; your heart is a treasure chest when you walk with the Lord, apart from Him it is an open grave. What is coming out of your life right now? Whatever it may be, know it is a reflection of what is in your heart.
Communion
Take time to prepare your heart for Communion.
1. Spend some time thinking about the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual suffering Jesus endured on the cross.
2. Reflect on the forgiveness you have received through Jesus’ sacrifice.
3. Invite the Holy Spirit to show you if you are holding onto any unconfessed sin, and if there is anyone you need to forgive.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 18:35
So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.
4. Finally, take a moment to reflect on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. He has defeated the power of sin and death! And He will return again to bring us to eternity with Him.