The Whole Story: A Life in God's Kingdom, Part TwoSample

Daily Reflection: In Mark 7:14-23, Jesus makes a controversial claim that rattles the Gentiles whom he is teaching. In essence, Christ is letting them know that it not what goes into someone that defiles them, but instead, it is what comes out of them. In this lesson, Jesus is simultaneously dealing with two issues; 1) the eating of food considered to be “unclean” and 2) the condition of one’s heart. This is an opportunity for God’s family to remember the importance of a purity of heart. What comes out of a person reveals the innermost workings of their intentions. To focus on what goes in (in terms of tradition) is shallow in comparison to what it means to foster a heart resembling the Father’s.

Daily Demonstration: Take some time to focus on the state of your heart today. Have you been too focused on keeping a tradition that you have forgotten the importance of what is already living inside of your heart? Are there things which you need to let go of today? Pray that God would search your heart and bring about purity therein.