Mark 7:2 …they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed.
I chuckled as I read this verse this morning because I thought immediately of my boys and the number of times I’ve asked them in their lives if they have washed their hands, especially before a meal. On the heels of the chuckle came a sobering thought—I am a rule follower. In and of itself, that’s not a bad thing; however, rule followers especially have to guard against blind rule following, devoid of any desire other than following the letter of the law.
Mark 7:15 “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”
God doesn’t want my blind, slavish obedience. If He did, He would not have given me free will, the ability to choose Him because I want to, not because I have to. He doesn’t want adherence to the rules above all else. Living that way leaves no room for love, grace, or mercy, and all three are vital to our Savior, much more so than rigid rule following.
Isaiah 29:13 The LORD says: “These people come near me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me….”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the reminder not to get so caught up in rules, customs, and traditions that we turn our hearts from You. You would much rather have our love, our whole hearts, broken open for You, filled with Your love, compassion, and mercy, than have our mindless adherence to the rules. Help me to always have a heart for You and Your people. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Have a blessed day.