Mark 7:1-6 – “Then came together unto Him the Pharisees and certain of the scribes, who came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled (that is to say, unwashed) hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat, unless they wash their hands oft, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, they eat not unless they wash; and there are many other customs which they have received and hold to, as the washing of cups, pots, brazen vessels and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” 6 He answered and said unto them, “Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honoreth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
Mark 7:13 – “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” —Mark 7:1-6,13
I.
:
Mark 7:3 – “For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat, unless they wash their hands oft, holding to the tradition of the elders.”
II.
:
Mark 7:2 – “And when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled hands, they found fault.”
Mark 7:5 – “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, ‘Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
III.
:
Mark 7:6 – “He answered and said unto them, “Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honoreth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
II Corinthians 6:17 – “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
I John 2:15 – “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” —v
I Samuel 16:7 – “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
Take-home questions for Small Group and Family Devotions.
Have you ever struggled with prioritizing traditions over your relationship with God? Can you share an example?
How can we ensure our convictions are based on Scripture rather than personal or cultural preferences?
What happens when our focus shifts from the truth of Scripture to the comfort of tradition?
Why do you think God focuses on the heart rather than outward appearances?
How can you guard against “the Pharisee within” in your daily walk with God?