This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me

 

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  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?"  He answered and 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.

And in vain they worship Me, 

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" --  (that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down  And many such things you do."

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  

 

- Mark 7:1–23 

 

Yesterday we read that, after sending the disciples across the sea and going Himself to the mountain to pray, when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and Jesus was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well. 

 

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  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?"  He answered and 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.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'  For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" --  (that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down  And many such things you do."  My study Bible comments here that the issue Christ addresses is not the observation of Jewish customs or traditions, which He most certainly does not prohibit (Matthew 5:17-19; 23:23).  The issue, rather, is setting human tradition which is contrary to the tradition of God.  The tradition of the elders to which Jesus refers is a body of interpretations of the Law, which for the Pharisees and the scribes was as authoritative as the Law, and often superseded it.  According to this tradition, my study Bible explains, offerings (called Corban) could be promised to God in a way that property or earnings could still be used for oneself, but not for others -- including parents.  Secondary traditions like this one obscure the primary tradition of the Law, contained in God's commandments.

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."   My study Bible explains that food cannot defile a person because it is created by God and is therefore pure. Evil things, it says, are not from God, and these are what defile a person.

Jesus tells His disciples, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  Jesus speaks of the heart, referring to it as the interior of a person.  This is the place where the reality of a person is found, the place where judgment would look at a person and discern the truth of what is there.  In the book of Samuel, we read that "the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).  This is what is "within" in Christ's phrase here.  And apparently, it is what we hang onto within ourselves that can defile us, the things that come from the heart.  The heart must be quite a busy place, indeed, as it is also the place of beauty.  In Matthew 12, Jesus speaks of the words that come out of our mouths as a kind of fruit of a tree.  For "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (see Matthew 12:33-37).  When we look at these sayings, as well as today's reading, we have to notice how the heart is linked with judgment, for good or for bad.  This is the place the Lord knows.  Indeed, another name for the Lord is the "heart-knower" (καρδιογνώστης/cardiognostes in Greek).  This is the word that is translated "who knows the heart" in Acts 1:24; 15:8.  Jesus is not implying that we control every single aspect of every thought we encounter.  But He is implying something quite important about the thoughts we nurture and harbor, and even cherish as treasure within ourselves.  If we look closely at His words in today's reading, He's speaking of character traits -- and once again we have to look at the things which we nurture, treasure, and develop within ourselves.  These are the things that become "treasure," for good or for evil.  When I was a child I would marvel at how dirty I could get playing outside, or possibly helping out at my grandmother's farm in the high summer heat.  As an adult there have been times I would marvel over the scrapes or difficult problems I found myself involved in, when I displeased the wrong person or made a mistake.  It's always a surprise, like a new morning, to discover that things we once thought were so difficult could be wiped clean and disappear -- we can find ourselves in a completely different place than we once felt pegged us in the eyes of others.  But it is the truth of Christ's statements here that are borne out through such experiences:  it's the things that we nurture within that stay with us and defile or beautify.  We can help someone in need and produce the fruits of beauty.  We can harm someone out of spite or our own short-comings and stain the heart with something we need to repent.  These are the things that stay with us, the things that go into making us the persons we are, the kind of fruit we bear in the eyes of Christ, the heart the Lord knows.  Where do we go to clean it and remove the stains, the things that hurt?  How do we know its beauty when it shines like gold in the kingdom of God? 

Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies

 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

'These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

- Matthew 15:1-20

 Yesterday we read that after feeding the five thousand in the wilderness, immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"   And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?"  The tradition of the elders, my study bible tells us, refers to the interpretations of the Law by Jewish teachers.  Jesus refutes their views that ritual purity depends on outward actions.  Rather it is the state of the heart that determines a person's purity (verse 8).

He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition."   What Christ is expressing here is that the commandment of God can't be overridden by the religious traditions of human beings.  A devotion to God, my study bible tells us, includes both obedience to God's commandments, and service to others.  They cannot be separated (see also James 2:14-18; 1 John 4:7-21).  Jesus here is specifically criticizing the practice of allowing someone that declare their wealth a gift to the temple.  Thereby this would allow them to continue to use their wealth during their lifetime for themselves, but effectively enabled dereliction of care for needy or dependent elderly parents. 

"Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:  'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "  Jesus quotes from the prophesy of Isaiah (Isaiah 29:13) to illustrate His criticism of the hypocrites.

When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Here is an indication of the open rift Jesus will have with the Pharisees, who will later plot to kill Him.  He calls them blind leaders of the blind -- and prophesies their eventual downfall stemming from their misguided priorities. 

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."  Jesus explains His teaching to the multitude earlier in the text ("Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man," verse 11).  This is the basis for the Christian emphasis on the care of the heart, the monastic discipline of awareness of our interior life and thoughts.  Jesus also taught in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (5:8).

How do you or I think about hypocrisy?  In context of today, that would mean making a show of one's righteousness -- possibly in a political sense -- but in truth fostering practices that really don't help anyone, or are in fact quite harmful.  Jesus doesn't just go on the defensive when His disciples are criticized.  He goes on offense -- He tells the Pharisees exactly what He thinks of their practices.  They conspicuously observe fasting rules and criticize His disciples, but in their own practices through their traditions allow the commandments to be effectively broken.  Jesus takes this criticism a step further when He speaks in front of the multitude, and expands on teaching regarding fasting.  Like many good practices meant for worthy effects, this can be abused for outward show and enable hypocrisy without a correct perspective.   (Thus the blind may lead the blind.)  A correct understanding of the purpose of fasting places a real emphasis on the heart.  Jesus says, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies."  Once again, as in the Sermon on the Mount, He is teaching us that all of these bad and unrighteous acts begin in the heart, and if we don't put emphasis there, we risk our lives becoming hypocritical as well, with our hearts far from God, and our worship being in vain.  So how do we translate this into modern understanding?  We have a culture, especially via social media, of what is called "virtue signalling."  That is, we are able to post things through social platforms on the internet that declare our support for one way of thinking or another.  It is a time in which slogans pass frequently through our awareness, and especially that of our children.  We can easily allow such "sloganeering" to substitute for a true commitment to God's righteousness in our hearts.  We can say to ourselves that we don't have to watch our own hearts for thoughts of violence or envy, covetousness or manipulative lies, false gossip, even blasphemy.  In modern terms we might justify violent revenge, or the harm of innocents, as if they correct an injustice.  Especially in a time when we are beset by current events that take up our time, lives, and attention, where we cannot separate fact from fiction, and where our perceptions are so easily manipulated through media of all kinds, let us take the time to sit back and listen to Christ talk about how important it is that we stop placing so much emphasis on the outside -- and pull back to the inside to see where and how we are aligned with God in what we do and in what we see.  And that means especially how we see, what lens we're using.  We need the lens of the perspective of Christ, the one He offers to us and helps us to acquire and understand.  We need to remember where our first loyalty is, and who our true guide is.  That is the one way we can stay away from the blind guides who may be, like apparently many of the leadership of His time were, out for themselves and even their own wealth.  Let us remember we have a good guide, and call on Him and His allies -- the saints and the angels and our living fellow faithful, the good shepherds we know -- for help in keeping our hearts in the right place.  For our own righteousness in the end is all we really have, and worth the price of awareness.

There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man

 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  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?"  He answered and 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.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So he said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"   And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

- Mark 7:1-23

Yesterday we read that when evening came, the boat in which the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee was in the middle of the sea; and Jesus was alone on the land, praying on the mountain.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.  When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  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?"  He answered and 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.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'  For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."  He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."  My study bible notes here that the issue is not the observation of Jewish customs or traditions; Jesus does not prohibit such (Matthew 5:17-19, 23:23).  At issue here is when human tradition is set contrary to the tradition of God.  The tradition of the elders is a body of interpretations of the Law, my study bible explains, which for the Pharisees and the scribes was as authoritative as the Law and frequently superseded it.  In accordance with this tradition, offerings (which were called Corban) could be promised to God so that property or earnings could still be used for oneself during one's lifetime, but not for anyone else, including parents.  These secondary traditions, my study bible notes, obscure the primary tradition of the Law, contained in God's commandments.  As will be the hallmark of Christ's response to the Pharisees and scribes, He criticizes them for their hypocrisy and therefore failure of true priorities.

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"  When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So he said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"   And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."   Here my study bible explains that food cannot defile a person because it is created by God, and is therefore pure.  Evil things are not from God, and those are what defile a person. 

Jesus gets down to brass tacks, so to speak.  He levels the playing field with His criticisms that bare what is real and what is not, what counts, and what is extraneous criticism just for the sake of criticizing.  Again, we find ourselves in a place today where the world is faced with a pandemic, and all kinds of responses are possible.  With Jesus, we always see the emphasis on what is entirely real and valuable, what counts and what matters the most.  Moreover, His entirely helpful emphasis on what is truly defiling and what is not makes us focus.  What are we doing that is harmful?  Do we influence others in a bad way, or do we help?  Today, in the midst of fear of how we approach an epidemic of a virus, there is extreme emphasis on cleanliness, on our need to protect one another, on avoiding contracting disease through sanitary and other protective practices.  But when these things become more important than understanding the character of hope and love, we lose our way.  What is truly defiling and what is not?  Do we lose ourselves in the frenzy of the time, or do we focus on what is important for ourselves as persons?  We should not lose track of the things that are really meaningful at this time, the things that uplift, and the things that destroy.  Too much useless criticism, for the sake of criticizing, or merely for political or personal gain, only adds fuel to the fire. It adds to the stress of time, and tears down our capacity for hope.  There are those who might take advantage of such a time of uncertainty and its accompanying temptations, manipulating others for gain.  But if we pay attention to the priorities here given by Christ, we will stand in good stead throughout this period of time.  What really defiles us?  Jesus names evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All of these things may be temptations to weaknesses at this time.  And note especially the focus of Jesus, which reinforces our Lenten concerns:  the focus is not on what is going on outside of us, for that cannot make us spiritually impure or defiled.   Jesus' focus is on what comes from within and proceeds outward.  Are we watching our own speech, or how we contribute to the time?  Are we caring and concerned?  Are we taking advantage to vent and tear apart?  Are we uncaring and callous, do we treat those who love us with neglect?  What is really the fallout of such a time for us, and what does it teach us?    In this time of unprecedented attention to what might come to us from outside of ourselves, let us follow Jesus' words and pay extra attention to the things that come from inside of us.  Let us focus on what we can do from our own resources to positively affect our surroundings and the atmosphere of this time.  In the Gospels, the difficulties endured by the disciples, such as the windstorm in yesterday's reading (above), are seen as experiences which work to strengthen their faith, to build their character, and their reliance upon and dedication to Christ.  Let us consider this time as another such trial or temptation, and see what we can do to endure the test, to build strength through the struggle, and especially to refocus on building our faith and the ways that we handle things according to Christ's word.  In the end, that's all we have to combat invisible enemies -- no matter what they may be.  For that builds the character and an environment of resourcefulness, good cheer, endurance, creativity, and inner strength to do what we need to do now.  Let us build up and not deplete, let us find the best way forward, His way, right now.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!

 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you shut up the kingdom against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.  Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.'  Fools and blind!  For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?  And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.'   Fools and blind!  For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?  Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.  He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells on it.  And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law:  justice and mercy and faith.  These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also."

- Matthew 23:13-26

In our current readings, Jesus is in Jerusalem, and it is Holy Week.  He has made His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, cleansed the temple, and engaged in confrontation, questioning, and testing by the leadership, with His own challenging responses.  (See the readings from Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.)   In yesterday's reading, Jesus began what is known to be His last public sermon, in which He gives a sweeping indictment of the practices of the leadership, particularly the scribes and Pharisees.  Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying:  "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.  Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.  For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.  But all their works they do to be seen by men.  They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.  They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'  But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.  Do not call anyone on earth your father, for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.  And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.  But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you shut up the kingdom against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.  Therefore you will receive greater condemnation."  In this final public sermon, Jesus names the hypocrisy in the practices of the scribes and Pharisees.  We should read it like a final warning, a caution, an effort of mercy on Christ's part.  In these first verses, Jesus declares woe in response to the neglect of salvation -- the salvation of their followers and their flock.  True salvation and illumination happens in the love of God, but we can see where the focus is here:  the pretense of long prayers, the greed of "devouring" widows' houses.   Such leaders with this focus cannot lead their flock to the kingdom they fail to enter.   The widows are among the poor and powerless, the vulnerable.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."  How can those with the focus Jesus' names bring their proselytes to the kingdom?  My study bible says that because the example of a leader can be so influential, leaders who don't love God can hinder others from finding God as well.  They must be held to a higher standard (James 3:1).  Every word in Christ's final sermon must be equally applied to those in His Church.  His words here warn of a kind of slippery slope:  things don't stay the same but become worse with successive orders of bad leadership.  There is a parallel to His teaching in chapter 12, also contained in a passage criticizing the leadership -- in that case, for their demand from Him for a sign.  He taught, "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.  Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation" (12:43-45).

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.'  Fools and blind!  For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?  And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.'   Fools and blind!  For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?  Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.  He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells on it.  And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it."  Jesus alludes to the practice developed of swearing by the gold of the temple and of the gifts on the altar.  But there is a failure to recognize who it is who gives value to the gold and the gifts.  There is a failure to understand God in the temple, God on the altar.  Their own blindness to the first great commandment to love God determines the rest of the mistaken practices here, the failure to know God and thereby that from which all value comes.   The lack of understanding of gifts and value is clearly tied spiritually and psychologically to the focus on greed and the failure to grasp the kingdom, the "pretense" of long prayer for show.  There is a lack of awareness of the presence of God, and this permeates all things.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law:  justice and mercy and faith.  These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!"  Jesus again refers to particular practices and the hypocritical ways in which they are done.  Tithing is an ancient practice still done in the Church (Jesus says, "These you ought to have done . . ."), but they have neglected what was more important at the same time.  Herbs like mint and anise and cummin would be weighed for a tithe, but the weightier matters of the law are justice and mercy and faith.  My study bible says that practices such as tithing "can be deep expressions of faith, lead a person to deeper commitment to God, and safeguard our life in Christ, or they can be observed without ever taking them to heart and lead to condemnation."  To "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" references  the practice of attaching strainers to the mouth of vessels in order to avoid accidentally swallowing an unclean substance.  Camel here is (obviously) used for its figurative sense as something tremendously large, just as it is in the expression, "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle" (19:24).  They are scrupulous about the gnat, and blind to the camel:   a good image of the weightier matters they have neglected and left undone.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also."  Scrupulous attention to ceremonial cleanliness here is made an analogy to the care for appearances more than the heart.  To cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may be clean also, is to take care of the matters of the heart, of faith and righteousness, mercy and justice.  They are failing to cleanse the extortion and self-indulgence that keep them and those they would lead away from God.  See also this reading, in which the scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus' disciples for failing to practice ceremonial washing, and Jesus' teaching response to them in a public sermon. 

Hypocrisy, in Jesus' teaching here (and we remember this is a public sermon, His final public discourse) is a certain failure to practice the weightier matters of God, the things that mustn't be neglected.  Hypocrite comes from an ancient word that means "actor."  It is literally "beneath the mask" such as actors in ancient plays would wear as keys to the character they portrayed.  When piety is only used as mask, we are neglecting real salvation, inviting trouble.  It is the things of the heart -- which Jesus always emphasizes -- that determine where our salvation is.  That's not to say that practices and traditions are wrong.  Jesus does not say that (for example, He says of tithing practices above, "these you ought to have done").  But when they are used to neglect the weightier matters of the heart, they become a mask.  This strikes to the core of true repentance, which is an affair of the heart, the innermost depth of who we are.  Interestingly, Origen writes a commentary on this passage in which he states that all of these "good practices" in and of themselves do not bring us salvation.  We may congratulate ourselves on our good deeds, our tithing, almsgiving, fasting, psalms and prayers, but merely of ourselves as achievements these things don't give salvation.  He likens the heart to the altar  of which Jesus speaks which confers the true measure and value of the gift.  Origen writes of a person whose heart is truly in his practice that "his heart is the altar that sanctifies his offering which is the heart of the world. The heart and the conscience of such a man 'do not feel remorse but have trust in God,' because his own heart has been rightly formed. He does not rely on his gifts as such or the words of his prayers or of his psalms—although they may seem well composed and chosen from the Scriptures—but on the heart rightly formed."  A heart consecrated and devoted in love of God produces the gifts of great value.  But without such a heart the gifts bear little worth, and do not confer the hope of heaven, wherein lies "throne of God" which Jesus names above.  In these practices, Jesus teaches us, it is where the heart is that conveys their true depth, and value, and meaning.  Hypocrisy prevents such an event of truth to pass, even when one practices the most "noble" or "holy" or traditions.  Why is it important that we love first God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength?  Because this is what confers value and wisdom in all the rest, and gives us insight and enlightenment into true works of love for others.  It is what prevents hypocrisy, living for show, with a focus on whether or not others approve of us, making such opinions weightier than the opinion of God.  That first love is what confers value upon all the rest, and gives us the tools to truly practice faith and help others with our love and with wisdom.  Let us not neglect the weightier matters of the heart in all things.

This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.   When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  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?"  He answered and 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.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do." 

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand.  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear; let him hear!"  When  He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

- Mark 7:1-23

Yesterday, we read that after feeding the five thousand men in the wilderness (and more women and children), and departing for the mountain top alone to pray, and after Jesus had sent His disciples back across the Sea of Galilee, when evening came, the boat of the disciples was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well.

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.  Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.  For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.   When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.  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?"  He answered and 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.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'  For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."   He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.  And many such things you do."   My study bible has a lengthy note on this passage:  "The issue here is not Jewish customs or traditions.  Jesus does not prohibit them (Matt. 23:23).  At issue is the raising of human tradition over the tradition or commandments of God.  The tradition of the elders is a body of interpretations of the Law handed down orally, which for the Pharisees and the scribes is as authoritative as the written Law of Moses.  According to this tradition, purification -- cleansing oneself from defiling contact with Gentiles or sinners -- occurs by the outward act of ceremonial washing.  Further, offerings to God may be made by promises.  Thereby one could dedicate property or earnings to God (Corban) to prevent their use by one's parents, but continue to use them oneself.  These secondary traditions obscure the primary commandments of God and obedience to them.  Traditions not from God must never supersede traditions from God, or Holy Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15, 3:6).  Unlike Holy Tradition, human traditions can prevent people from coming to God (Rom. 2:24; Col. 2:8)."

 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand.  There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear; let him hear!"   A note here tells us, "Jesus teaches that nothing is of itself spiritually unclean.  God makes all things good.  Sins committed of our own free will, what comes from within us, defile and make the heart impure."

When  He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also?  Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  My study bible tells us that "all these evil things are not what God created.  We will them; we produce them; they are our sins coming from within us.  They are a perversion of what God has made."

There are several things we can notice about today's reading.  First of all, Jesus' ministry is now so "on the map," so to speak, that Pharisees and scribes have come from Jerusalem to see Him.  This is quite an important thing, as it says that the religious establishment haven't just taken notice of Him; they've actually come to Him.  But being, in some sense, regulators, the first thing they do is find fault.  Jesus' disciples do not practice ceremonial washing.  Instead of responding as we might expect, Jesus brooks no criticism of His disciples in this instance.  (When His disciples are criticized, it comes from Jesus' own mouth, and in private.)   Instead, Jesus goes on the offensive, charging the leadership with hypocrisy in their practices.  We've observed on other occasions Jesus' loyalty and protectiveness of His own disciples.  But here, Jesus takes the occasion to raise some very important points of teaching.  It's almost like a trial, in the formal sense of a courtroom:  the Pharisees and scribes have opened a particular door, introduced a subject, and so Jesus can now give His own testimony.  But the teaching isn't just for the benefit of the scribes and Pharisees; it isn't just a criticism of their habitual practices and the hypocrisy for which Jesus quotes the lines from Isaiah.  When the multitude has come again to hear Him preach, He continues the lesson, in very strong terms:  "Hear Me, everyone, and understand. There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  If anyone has ears to hear; let him hear!"  These words are, as He says, for everyone.  It's a powerful, emphatic teaching, something we must get into our heads.  Especially now, at this time of Lent with its various traditions and practices of fasting, we must come to understand what these practices are for:  they're not laws unto themselves.  They are designed to place our attention on God, to give up the time we spend on all kinds of elaborate preparations for a time, to forget about the usual things we put so much emphasis on and run after, and just give it a rest for awhile -- for a purpose, to free ourselves and our thoughts to draw closer to God.  Otherwise, we run the danger of doing what Jesus and my study bible point out:  putting an emphasis on a kind of legalistic perspective that draws people away from God and godliness, rather than toward God.  In private, Jesus' teaching continues to His own disciples.  And here we find the nudging question:  "Are you thus without understanding also?"  Jesus doesn't shrink from questioning them this way, in private and away from the rest of the world; He's an honest and loving, and loyal, Teacher.  He tells them straightforwardly, explaining it all for them, and for us via the Gospel:  "Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"  And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  The emphasis is on where our hearts are, what fills us, what we dwell on -- as has so often been the case through this Gospel.  But here, in today's teaching, it all comes home.  It is explicit and deliberate, and spelled out for us very clearly.  The things that really defile, the real sins, are those things we create within ourselves.  It's this place of the heart that really needs our attention --  and that, again, is the purpose of practices such as fasting.  We get a "time out" to focus on the inside, to find where we are in relationship to God.  Jesus' words tell us truly about ourselves, and ask us just as powerfully right here and right now about our own self-awareness.  All the rules and all the teachings and all the traditions are meant to get us to this place with God, face to face, so to speak, and in the heart:  What are we nurturing?  What are we creating?  So, we're in the middle of Lent, right now, and let us think.  Let us make a commitment about what really matters and what is of true substance, what is it that makes us who we are in God's sight?  What lifts us up, and what pulls us down?  What defiles and pollutes, and what cleanses?  Let us remember that these things Jesus names are also about how we are with others.  But the harm we do, He emphasizes, is really to ourselves.  Finally, the quotation from Isaiah, "This people honors Me with their lips," is ironic in even a literal perspective regarding food choices!  It's the heart and our relationship to God that affects all else, all other relationships -- this is what Jesus emphasizes.

Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man

 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- 'then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

'These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulterers, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

- Matthew 15:1-20

On Saturday, we read that, after feeding five thousand men (and more women and children) in the wilderness, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.  And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!"  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.  And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into the all the surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.


 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- 'then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition."  Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:  'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "  My study bible explains that the tradition of the elders refers to the interpretations of Mosaic Law by Jewish teachers.  In this case, the teachings referred to are the teachings regarding ritual purity.  It notes, "Jesus sharply refutes their views that ritual purity depends on what a person does or doesn't do.  Rather, He points to the heart as the source of evils which defile a person."  Regarding the commandment to honor one's father and mother, it notes that this is one of the Ten Commandments which deals with human relations.  It says, "A work of service or devotion to God is of no value if in carrying it out one ignores personal responsibility to others.  Right human relationships are a necessary element of Christian devotion."  The tradition of the gift to which Jesus refers is one by which people could dedicate property or possessions to the temple, and continue to use it during their lifetimes.  Thus, elderly or dependent parents would not be entitled to the same.

 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulterers, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."  Two things strike us in these verses.  First of all, Jesus calls the leadership "blind leaders of the blind."  Referring back to the parables we've just been taught (see especially the explanation of the parable of the tares of the field), Jesus notes their mistaken notions which really refer back to the place of the heart.  This is especially clear if we take into account Jesus' quotation from Isaiah.  There are ways of being far from God although we pay lip service to this ideal.  We remember Jesus saying in chapter 12, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad."   Noteworthy here is Jesus' faith that that which is not "planted by my heavenly father" will be uprooted.  He teaches us confidence in spiritual truth.  And secondly, of course, is the point of the discourse -- that it is the state of the heart, the inner person, that truly shapes what and who a person is.

In recent readings, especially when we discussed the parables taught throughout chapter 13 of Matthew's gospel (beginning with the parable of the Sower) Jesus introduced the idea of the end of the age and the Judgment that is to come.  In doing so, He taught about the plants that grow side by side, good wheat and the tares (or weeds) sown by "an enemy."  This is a picture of the world, the state in which we live.  Here in today's reading, He contrasts those with a false doctrine that hides the true -- and teaches via His faith that the true doctrine will endure while the false will not.  In this we are to have confidence.    The element of Judgment is further delved into by His emphasis on the heart, on the state of the heart.  He's trying to focus His disciples on what they must be about.  That is, how do we shore up within ourselves true doctrine, right relatedness, an understanding of the good seed and where and how it is planted in us?  This is Jesus' emphasis.  Although the scribes and Pharisees challenge Him, and He vigorously defends His disciples, His emphasis once again comes down, in private with them, to teaching.  They can "let them alone."  If we would be His disciples, we have to focus on the state of our own hearts, and not so much on "the outside."  It's not all about what everybody else thinks:  the first consideration how we relate to God.  Of course, in that primary relationship are the expressions of God's love we make or fail to make in the world.  Being known for a great gift isn't really such a great thing if those at our doorstep who really need our help are ignored.  And this is a new thing to consider:  what are the weightier matters in our lives?  How can form obscure truth rather than expressing it?  What good does it do if we fast, for example, from certain foods, if we bully others by calling them names, or abuse our positions?  Jesus sums up very clearly and succinctly (as He brilliantly does, so frequently in Scripture) how we are to think about the state of the heart:  "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  If we carry an awareness of the end of the age and Judgment, if we really care about being in right relationship with God, this is what we need to think about.  What do we carry inside of ourselves, how do we treat others?  All of this is tied up, in Jesus' teaching, with what we love first.  And this is what enables us to truly see.

This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of the cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. 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?" He answered and 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.

And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- '(that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."

When he had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"

When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

- Mark 7:1-23

In yesterday's reading, we read about Jesus' apostles struggling on the sea, rowing against the wind, when Jesus was up on the mountain, praying. He saw their struggle in the very early hours of the morning, around 3:00 A.M. or the fourth watch. Suddenly He appeared to the disciples, strolling on the water, as if to pass them by. They couldn't believe their eyes, thinking it was a ghost, but Jesus said, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. The day before, they had fed the five thousand with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish; but only this extraordinary act opened their eyes to Jesus' reality, and the understanding of the feeding miracle.

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of the cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. 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?" The "tradition of the elders," according to my study bible, "is a body of interpretations of the Law handed down orally, which for the Pharisees and the scribes is as authoritative as the written Law of Moses. According to this tradition, purification -- cleansing oneself from defiling contact with Gentiles or sinners -- occurs by the outward act of ceremonial washing." The "elders" may also refer to members of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council or court of the temple.

He answered and 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. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." Jesus makes it clear that there is a separation between what has been revealed by Moses in the Law and the traditions that have developed through the councils of the elders, or the "commandments of men." If the two are easily substitutable, then what of the Holy Spirit or the power of God's grace at work in these traditions, and its revelation through Moses? My study bible says: "At issue here is not Jewish customs or traditions. Jesus does not prohibit them. At issue is the raising of human tradition over the tradition or commandments of God."

He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- '(that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." Here Jesus gives an example of what it is to raise the traditions of men above the commandments of God. When the tradition of the elders becomes superior, then its own purposes may violate the spirit of the Law of Moses. "Corban" was a way of declaring that properties or earnings were dedicated to God. In effect, it kept parents from using them, while the owners continued their use. So, in fact, the traditions of the elders in this example actually obscured the Law, preventing its purpose from being carried out. For Jesus, hypocrisy is the most scathing criticism of all, and He will use it again and again. It forms a very central point of His teaching.

When he had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" Jesus addresses the immediate complaint of the Pharisees and the scribes against His disciples, regarding the ritual cleansing. If we think about it, this is a radical departure in thinking. What is sinful? How do we separate ourselves, or 'set apart' that which is holy from that which is 'unclean?' Jesus is calling for a kind of repentance, or change of mind, that deepens a sense of who we are, and what it is that defiles. He calls us to a deeper place, and it reflects the use of the term "hypocrite" for those who do not or will not speak to the reality of sin, but only its appearance. My study bible says, "Jesus teaches that nothing is of itself spiritually unclean. God makes all things good. Sins committed of our own free will, what comes from within us, defile and make the heart impure." While tradition may help us to understand the need for our choices, it is nothing if it does not enforce the truth of the reality that is within us, and that comes from God -- and even worse, it may actually obscure that reality or keep us far away from God. We may be lost in the hypocrisy He criticizes. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" is a common call from Jesus, an echo of the words of prophets written in Scripture before Him. We need spiritual ears to hear and to understand -- again, a call to the depth within our hearts, our capacity to truly understand the things of the spirit.

When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." As He has in the past, Jesus further explains His teachings in private to the disciples. We have layer upon layer of understanding: parables draw out those who will want more, and so we have another contribution to our understanding of depth within us. And this depth is what Jesus addresses here. It is not the foods that are spiritually unclean; this false understanding is what comes from elevating tradition over the Law. Rather that which can 'contaminate' spiritually are the things we may produce from within ourselves, and He gives a list: "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." My study bible says, "All these evil things are not what God created. We will them; we produce them; they are our sins coming from within us. They are a perversion of what God has made." An "evil eye" is envy or jealousy.

It is the heart, then, that is at the center of what is clean and unclean, what defiles and what purifies, and the heart is the center of that battle for the reality of who we are. In this sense, the call to repentance that begins with John the Baptist and echoes through the Gospels comes full circle. If that which can truly pollute or defile comes from within our hearts, from our choices, then our "change of mind" is what cleanses - and we open ourselves to that which is holy and good, also in our hearts. Jesus' call, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" is a call to our hearts, the understanding we will find there, if we care to, if we can. Once our focus is there, we see the purpose of tradition -- it is to serve that place of true "cleansing" or repentance, and understanding of the things that are of God and what we want to keep close to us and precious, and what we would like to change. Without that central sense of change and transformation, all the rituals of cleansing become exercises in a form of hypocrisy, or worse - a way to truly avoid the reality of God's power at work within us for true spiritual health. The reality of God's grace is at work within us, in our hearts. Everything else, all practices and tradition, must be a help for us to get there - and all true tradition is to that aim and its support. Quite clearly, this applies to all tradition, then and now, wherever it is found, whatever practice we deem "good" or helpful. Jesus' words are alive and well for us today, wherever and whoever we are. What draws you closer to God? What opens up your heart and helps you to see and hear what you need to? What helps you to grow in God's image in your heart - and to cast away the things that truly defile? What helps us to grow in the things that are truly of God, that give us God's joy and peace and beauty?