“Hear me, all of you, and understand: 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” (Mark 7:14-15 ESV).
Jesus explained that sin begins with an attitude of the heart before it becomes a behavior. Focusing on changing the behavior is unfruitful when only faith in Jesus will change the heart. The human heart is born with an attitude of rebellion against God saying, “My will,” rather than “Your will be done.”
This teaching of Jesus also served notice that certain Pharisaical cleanliness laws were human additions to the Mosaic law and therefore not binding. The Pharisees had not lightened the burden of the people, instead they had added to it. Jesus came to change human hearts knowing that no amount of washing our hands would cleanse our hearts.
Reading this account from the gospel of Mark on the same day we read from Leviticus was quite a contrast. I’m thankful that Jesus came to lighten our burden and to give us clean hearts!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess our sinful attitudes and ask You to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. For You are just and faithful. Give us clean hearts that we might worship You fully. In Jesus’ name, amen.