And Then What Happened

“He replied, Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’” Mark 7:6 NIV

In Mark 7:1-23 Jesus first has a discussion with some Pharisees about their traditions and their hearts. Later, he talks with his disciples about how men’s hearts reveal what kind of men we are. Proverbs 27:19 tells us, “As water reflects the face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” Jesus tells the Pharisees their hearts are far from God, regardless of the many laws and traditions they observe and obey. Then he describes for the disciples the unclean actions that come from inside a heart that is far from God, “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly,” (Mark 7:21-22).

Then, Mark 7:24-37 tells us that Jesus travels to two pagan, gentile regions and he encounters true faith in God with the Syrophoenician woman, and trust in Jesus ability to heal with the friends of a deaf and mute man in the Decapolis region. This is yet another example of God’s kingdom, which Jesus teaches about, that seems to be upside down. Jesus is willing to touch the lives of sinners, heal the disabled, minister to the outcasts.

I believe Jesus called out the Pharisees because they were focused on outward actions, instead of making their hearts right with God. David says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” He goes on to say, “The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise,” (Psalm 51:10, 17). David pens these words after admitting to Nathan and to God that he was guilty of murder and adultery. Yet the Bible says David is a man after God’s own heart. David was a sinful man, who acknowledged his need for God, for his forgiveness, and God’s restoration.

This is the message of God’s kingdom. It is open to all, Pharisees, gentiles, demon-possessed, poor, disabled, lepers, homeless, refugees, criminals, liars, and thieves. David’s psalm shows us how to be honest, ask for forgiveness and restoration from God. Are we following Jesus’ example? Do you go where the sinners and outcasts are and share the good news of the kingdom? Is there an “outcast” that you know who needs prayer? Are you involved in ministry to the homeless, to prisoners, to someone who needs a helping hand or an encouraging word?

By Grace Hunter

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Mark 7:24-30

I grew up in an area that was predominantly completely made up of Caucasians. There was one African American family that moved in one time, and left soon afterwards. I also lived in a culture that told me I should despise, look down upon, and even be afraid of people of color. When I was 17, I moved from that area to a new school that was very diverse. For the first time, I was scared of the people I went to school with – because they looked different and because of what I had been told. Little did I know that I would eventually become friends with lots of people of color – that they were real people, just like me, and God would show me that He loves everyone, not just those like me.

The world is filled with rules about who to hang out with. Don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t smoke, don’t chew, and don’t hang out with those who do. Perhaps you’ve heard that at some point. You’d think the Church would be a place where those rules don’t apply; after all, Jesus seemed to spend lots of time with people others wouldn’t be caught dead with. But all too often, we build up rules to “keep us holy before God” that keeps us from spending time with the kind of people Jesus associated with.

The way of Jesus is to love everyone – not just those who agree with everything we agree with, who like the same political party or music or make the same amount of money or who have the same color of skin, or whatever it might be. It’s easy to judge those not like us – but Jesus showed us a different way.

He showed the Syrophoenecian woman a picture of the love of God – by answering her request to cast the impure spirit out of her daughter. A closer reading shows that not only was Jesus talking to someone who most good Jews wouldn’t be talking to, but he also was in the region of Tyre – a region no good Jew would be caught in. Double whammy!

Does hanging out with the wrong crowd affect us? Of course it does. But we’d better be careful not to label people who are different the “wrong crowd”. There’s a tension inherent to following Jesus and loving others who seem unlovable, or immoral, or simply different. But I’ve come to believe that one of the marks of maturity for followers of Jesus is to learn to live in tension. This might mean talking to someone you wouldn’t typically talk to, or going where you wouldn’t typically go – to be the hands, feet, ears, and voice of Jesus to someone who desperately needs him.

This week, move toward someone who is different than you, and practice listening to their story, to their perspective, to their experience. Let God use this to help you learn to see with different lenses and to help you learn to love more broadly.

NOTE: March 15th South is partnering with Cru to have a workshop called Fear, Facts & Faith – A Biblical View of Immigration. This workshop will address our refugee neighbors in the Denver area and other immigrants, break down misconceptions about them, broaden our perspective, and give us practical ways to love those who are different than us. You can find out more here.

By Larry Boatright

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Mark 7:1-7

We all have food and drink preferences. All of us also have opinions about what food we should or shouldn’t eat and what beverages are appropriate or not appropriate. Food-shaming is a current reality in our culture. We judge one another for not holding our same preferences and opinions. We judge people who eat extremely unhealthy and we judge people who eat extremely healthy. There is shame on both sides because judgment comes from those of us stringent about our eating habits as well as those of us who are more free. Richardsons Smoke House present the healthy stuff to all and with different category according to the needs.You must visit to Foodie for the best food.

In today’s story, well-studied religious individuals are food-shaming Jesus and his followers. It appears Jesus is not upholding their food health standards. This seems strange. Especially when health standards were originally initiated by God for the sake of human flourishing. However, if we read this section carefully, this particular ceremonial washing is said to have been “a tradition of the elders.” This means the church people took the washing of hands and started to spiritualize it.

We do the same thing. Sometimes we make up rules to make us feel more spiritual. Some think, “I’m more spiritual because I care deeply about eating healthy to honor my body.” Others think, “I’m more spiritual because I haven’t made eating certain foods or restraining from certain drinks an idol.” Today, choose to eat something healthy and something unhealthy to remind yourselves that these opinions are not what makes us spiritual. Only by the grace of God are our hearts cleansed by Jesus from the inside out.

By Yvonne Biel

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash,  And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

“‘This people honors me with their lips,

    but their heart is far from me;

in vain do they worship me,

    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God) — then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:1-13

Mark brings us to a critical point of his gospel story in chapter seven. The Scribes and Pharisees have kept the Law (the 10 Commandments and the Pentateuch) and the interpretations of it, handed down for centuries, called the Oral Law. They confront Jesus with the fact that his disciples are not keeping their rules, the way they perceive religion, goodness and service before God. Tension builds as Jesus answers them by quoting Isaiah 29:13 where the prophet accuses God’s people of worshipping with their lips but their hearts were far away. He accuses them of being the same, hypocrites (serving God outwardly but disobeying God inwardly) and idolaters (their word was more important than God’s word and took its place). There was the Pharisees’ way and there was Jesus’ way and the two were very different.

In our culture today there are basically two ways of understanding the world. In one, the world says the problem is “out there” and the answer is what a man can do. In the other, the Bible says the problem is in our hearts and the answer is what Christ has done! One says the world is wonderful and people are good. The Bible says because we are sinners, we sin and need a Savior. People tend to see themselves in charge (better than God). But if we think of salvation, we see ourselves as God does: in desperate need of a new birth, a clean heart, and a new life. Every human heart has the root of every human sin in it. And, as those men of long ago that Jesus addressed, it is entirely possible to look great on the outside while being dead on the inside.

Let’s make it personal. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” When the Lord examines your heart, what does He see? A person trusting in what you do or a humble sinner trusting in what Jesus has done? Someone basing life on the latest thoughts and trends or on the Word of God? Mark is going right for the heart. Look at yours. Like the Pharisees it’s easy to adopt do’s and don’ts to the detriment of a close relationship with Jesus, and a life being changed by God’s power and bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,. Titus 3:4-7

By Donna Burns

They went out and preached that people should repent. Mark 6:12

A healthy spiritual life looks like a good story. At face value that sounds great. But if you look under the surface, all stories involve struggle. That means that a healthy spiritual life will include more than just a conversion experience. There will also be moments where there is struggle; dieing ideas, renewing, and seasons of renaissance in our souls. New insights, new challenges, and new relationships force us to change and grow. The problem with this is the fact that both we and our close relationships are not always ready for who we are becoming.

In his book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Pete Scazzero explains that our loved ones often reject us before they learn to accept the ways that we are changing. That is partly what is happening to Jesus in this passage. He is being rejected by those who think they know him. The truth is, Jesus was much more than the child they remember running the streets in their hometown. Jesus was in fact, their Savior.

When those around us reject who God is making us, we must continue to follow Jesus. That is part of what Jesus is teaching his disciples when he tells them to shake the dust off their shoes when they encounter opposition. Rejection by others does not necessarily mean we are on the wrong path. If we are seeking to follow Jesus in his way with his heart we must shake off the rejection we receive. Following Jesus changes us and not everyone will understand that, but it is worth it!

Have you ever been rejected or misunderstood for doing something good? Reflect on that. In your mind picture that rejection as dust on your shoes and then, as the great poet Taylor Swift wrote in one of her songs, “shake it off.” Remember that following Jesus is the best way to live even if others don’t understand.

By Aaron Bjorklund

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.  He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.  And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there.  And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”  Mark 6:7-11

Mark recounts in his gospel not only the testimony of Peter but alludes to the history of the nation of Israel and their leader Moses. Chapter after chapter follow the footsteps of God’s people leaving Egypt. Story after story shares God’s power, provision and protection. The people were rescued (parting of Red Sea/calming the storm), the people were fed (manna from heaven/feeding 5,000), the people instructed (Jesus teaches on the mountainside/ten commandments given).

Jesus choosing the twelve and sending them out two by two bears the images of Deuteronomy 1:15 when Moses chose leaders over Israel and Deuteronomy 19:15 where two was the number needed to establish a witness. He charges the twelve to take nothing (as Israel was charged when leaving Egypt in haste). To wear only sandals and one tunic (to be in the same position as Israel to trust totally in God’s faithfulness for provision). But, the disciples are charged to take a staff, the symbol of authority. Moses carried one. Now, Jesus is giving his authority and power to them. He is inviting his disciples to lead others on a new kind of Exodus. On his journey, Jesus experienced rejection from family, church and state (Mark 2 and 3). Shaking the dust off the feet was a warning to those rejecting God (Isaiah 52:2, Nehemiah 5:14). When trials and rejection come, remember the great I AM is the Lord God.

Jesus gives us new life, new bread, a new Kingdom. He also gives us the same power and authority he gave his first disciples (Matthew 28:18-19). We are given the same assignment to show others the way out of the bondage of sin (1 Peter 2:9). God has equipped each believer in Jesus with spiritual gifts for the task (Hebrews 13:20-22). Take the spiritual gifts survey on South’s website to help find out what your gifts are or give you new insights on how to use them. For more about Mark following Israel’s narrative, check out the books by Joel Marcus, The Way of the Lord: Christological Exegesis of the Old Testament in the Gospel of Mark and Rikki E. Watts, Isaiah’s New Exodus in Mark.

By Donna Burns

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. Mark 6:5-6

Among Jesus’ closest friends and family, there was an epidemic of unbelief. Those who witnessed his development from an infant, to an adolescent, to an adult just could not comprehend the source of Jesus’ wisdom and power. And, because of their lack of faith, Jesus was held back. He was unable to offer truth and healing to those he dearly loved.

What a contrast. Up until now people have marveled at Jesus as he taught with authority, performed unlikely healings, and accomplished phenomenal miracles. Now the tables have turned when Jesus marvels. Where there was faith and healing, people were amazed. Now, where there is a shortage of faith and shortage of healing, Jesus is amazed. Surprise can come in several facets. The people’s marveling may have elicited awe or joy, but Jesus’ marveling must have been painstakingly difficult to endure. He was forced to hold back himself because his loved ones weren’t ready to receive him. For it was not for lack of desire on Jesus’ part.

Here, Jesus’ withholding became a grace. If he would have performed a smattering of miracles or healings, what good would that have done? Especially when Jesus’ desire was not simply to make others happy or find freedom from their boundage, his deepest desire was for them to receive him. Sometimes Jesus delays in answering our requests for healing because his deepest desire is for us to receive him.

What area of your life are you wanting greater freedom or healing? Might Jesus want to heal you but you doubt he can? Or perhaps you haven’t asked him to heal? Or perhaps Jesus wants you to receive his presence rather than being easily satisfied with his gift of healing? Take some time today to sit with these questions and talk with God about the current state of your faith.

By Yvonne Biel

And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Mark 6:4

This proverb-like statement is jam-packed with sharp truth. Its bite seems to be two-fold. First, Jesus implies he is not without honor. Throughout the Gospel of Mark we see Jesus’ fame spreading. Word of Jesus continues to bring more and more people from across ancient lands to witness his ministry firsthand. And many are demonstrating great faith in Jesus. However, there is an exception. The people in closest proximity to Jesus do not give him the honor due his name.

There are times when we are so close to something it becomes hard to realize how amazing it is. This happens when we see the same beauty around us for a long period of time and take it for granted. This happens when we self-evaluate seeing all of our faults and failures but neglecting to honor the good parts within us. This happens when we get so engrossed and frustrated in the fine detail of our work, we miss the spectacular nature of our creativity or the progress we’ve made thus-far.

Unfortunately, we do this with our loved ones too. We overlook their value, their purpose, and their significance. And, we fail to show them honor. For when we see mood swings, blind spots, and specific tangles with sin, it’s hard to recognize how someone might be set apart by God for a unique purpose in life. In Romans 12:10, Paul links together our love for others and demonstrating honor. He says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Let’s begin to honor the people around us by tearing down any barrier that may be keeping us from noticing God’s fingerprints in their lives. Spend a few minutes now asking yourself what stops you from seeing God’s work in those you live with in closest proximity?

By Yvonne Biel

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!” Mark 6:1-3 NIV

Jesus’ ministry was threefold. He taught in the synagogue, he preached to the crowds wherever they found him, and he healed the sick. In Nazareth, Jesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, read the scripture and taught with divine authority. Luke 4:16-30 talks about a time Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah. These verses say, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,” Isaiah 61:1-2.

Rabbis at this time would quote other scholars to argue their points in their teaching. The gospels tell us that Jesus spoke with authority, and his audiences were amazed because he taught the scripture, but did not quote men. This Isaiah passage refers to the Year of Jubilee, but it was also referring to the messianic age. In Luke 4:21 Jesus says, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Everyone knew Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah.

Many people in the crowds following Jesus were only interested in his ability to heal and do amazing things. Jesus’ ministry was also about teaching the people about God’s Kingdom, how to interact with God, and with each other. The individual people Jesus healed wanted to be with Jesus, they wanted to tell others about all he had done for them. It is the same today. When we witness the Holy Spirit moving in an individual person, or perhaps in a group, we are drawn to worship God and to praise him, sing, and proclaim God’s goodness to all who will hear.

We don’t witness Jesus coming to our town, walking among us and healing people. But we do see God at work in our lives and in other’s lives every day. Take some time to examine your life in the past week, notice how God has provided for you, how he has answered your prayer, or another’s prayer. Psalm 92:2 says, “to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.” Worship and praise God for his love, remember how he has been faithful to you – spend some time worshiping and thanking him.

By Grace Hunter

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. Mark 5:37-40

Everywhere Jesus has gone in the book of Mark up to this point, crowds have pursued him. They have listened to his teaching with amazement, flocked to him for healing, and pursued him from one town to another. The Pharisees have held Jesus at arm’s length, listening with skepticism, while Jesus draws others close. In Mark chapter 5, however, we see mixed response to Jesus. The people of the Gerasenes region plead with Jesus to leave after seeing him drive out demons (v. 17). The mourners laugh at his suggestion Jairus’ daughter might live (v. 40).

In spite of all this, and a very public-facing ministry, Jesus doesn’t force or demand a specific response from those around him. He is simply himself and lets everyone decide what they will do with him.

In this passage alone, we’ve seen a multitude of responses to Jesus: Calling him the Son of the Most High God, asking to follow him, begging for healing, and outright skepticism. Ask yourself, which of the responses to Jesus in Mark 5 do you most resonate with? What might be behind this response? Ask the Spirit to reveal to you the next step in following Jesus.

By Jessica Rust