Bible Pathways 10/15/2002
October 15
Read Mark 6 -- 7
In Today’s Reading:
The twelve apostles sent out; John the Baptist beheaded; the 5,000 fed; Jesus walks on water; His rebuke of the Pharisees; the faith of the Syrophoenician woman.
For many generations, the Law had been explained by the Scribes and the Pharisees, who were the two largest religious groups of their day. They believed in the One True God. They proclaimed their belief in all Scripture as the inspired Word of God; but they gave more attention to the tradition of the elders (Mark 7:3; Matthew 15:2) than to the Scriptures. They believed that Jesus' disciples were defiled because they did not participate in the ceremonial washing of hands before eating as prescribed in the tradition of the elders (Mark 7:5). It must have come as quite a surprise to these self-righteous leaders to hear Jesus say: Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people [honors] Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. . . . In vain (empty show) do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. . . . Making the Word of God of [no] effect through your tradition (7:6-8,13; see Isaiah 29:13; Ezekiel 33:31). Our Lord prescribed a far higher standard for life than mere outward observances.
Later, He said to His disciples: Whatsoever thing from [outside enters] into a man, it cannot defile him. . . . (but) That which [comes] out of [a] man, that [defiles] the man. For . . . out of the heart . . . 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 7:18-23).
We deceive ourselves if we believe there is no harm in sinful thoughts so long as they are never verbalized or physically carried out. The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to write: The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God (Romans 8:7). But, as a child of God, we are not to be conformed to this world: but be . . . transformed by the renewing of your mind, that [you] may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (12:2).
Christians have a responsibility, and the ability through the Holy Spirit, to be overcomers: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that [exalts] itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:4-5). As we yield to His will, as revealed in His Word, our lives become a practical, daily expression of the indwelling Holy Spirit. A true commitment to the Word of God will produce inward changes in our hearts that will also affect all that we say and do. The true Christian has a genuine desire to reject the evil thoughts, lustful temptations, and emotional discontent that Satan seeks to instill, because he has a desire to please the Lord. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
Thought for Today: Our daily actions, attitudes, and conversations express the desires of our hearts.
Word Studies:
6:8 scrip = a small bag or purse; 6:10 soever = wherever; 6:20 observed him = was concerned for his safety; 6:25 by and by = before long or soon; charger = a large dish or platter; 6:33 outwent = went farther than or went ahead of; 7:19 purging all meats = declaring all food ceremonially clean.
Cross References:
For Mark 7:6-7: See Isa. 29:13. Mark 7:10: See Ex. 20:12; 21:17; Lev. 20:9; Deut. 5:16.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Michael Collins (GA), Gov. Carl Gutierrez (GU), Rep. Rush Holt (NJ), and Rep. Jim Leach (IA) · Pray for your pastor · Country: Austria (8 million) in central Europe · Major language: German · Religious freedom · 83% Roman Catholic; 5% Protestant; 1% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Be grateful for your inheritance as a child of the King (I Peter 1:3-4).
Memory Verse for the Week: John 15:5
