Mark 7 - 2.19.24
Scripture
Mark 7:6 NLT
”Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.“
Observation
Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law began to question Jesus about his disciples. They point out to Jesus that his disciples were not following the ancient Jewish traditions of washing their hands before eating or even immersing their hands in water before eating food from the market. Jesus then basically tells these Pharisees and teachers that all the religious rituals and practices they do are mere “lip service” towards God. They only do them so they can look good and more spiritual than others. They have a “holier than thou” attitude, while their hearts are far from God. These Pharisees and teachers seemed to be more concerned about glorifying themselves rather than glorifying God.
Application
God cannot be fooled. God sees our hearts.
”The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”-1 Samuel 16:7b
”People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.“ -Proverbs 21:2
It’s important when we do things for God, we have the right motives behind them. For God sees our hearts. He knows when we are just going through the motions, jumping through those “spiritual hoops”, or checking off boxes so we can feel or appear like better Christians. When in reality we could be acting like the Pharisees and religious teachers mentioned in this chapter. We could be merely giving God good lip service; praising God with our lips, but not with our actions. So let’s not fall into that trap. Let’s remember that God wants our hearts. He desires our relationship over rituals.
Prayer
Father God, I pray that I have a heart that is fully devoted to pleasing You. Help me to stay the course, and be focused. Help me not to stray. Help me not to just go through the motions when serving and worshiping You. You gave me Your all when You gave me Jesus. I pray that I can give You my all in service too. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi