Mark 8:34-9:1

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

1 And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

Devotional
This is a continuation from the previous passage. Jesus having rebuked Peter in the presence of the other disciples for trying to dissuade Him from His destiny at the cross (Mark 8:33). Now calls both the people with His disciples to Himself. What Jesus says here is for everyone who wants to follow Him in disipleship. Jesus begins in verse thirty by saying, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. In Luke’s parallel passage it states “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

Accordingly then Jesus’ life was a pattern of daily self denial. Beginning when He left His Father’s Presence and took on flesh to dwell amongst sinful men and women. Jesus denied Himself the glories and Preeminence He has in heaven to enter into the brokenness and sufferings of mankind. And for it all He received no privileges here, no honors, no glory, only rejection by His own and the world He came to be crucified for. Therefore the old way of putting oneself, and one’s own “right’s”, interests and desires first must progressively give way to a life of self-denial, sacrifice and service. For Jesus says to follow Him we must deny ourselves daily take up our cross and follow Him, so that ultimately God’s will and purposes for our lives then fills them. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Vs. 35

Save his life does not mean the physical life of a person, Jesus is not commanding ascetism as a way of life, but a pattern of daily self denial for His sake and the gospels. Therefore I may have to forfeit dreams, desires and designs for my life, for His sake and the gospels. That’s a big picture view. On a daily level in order to serve the Lord Jesus Christ effectively I will have to deny myself those things that deter me from serving Him with the Spirit gifts and talents He has given me. Therefore nothing from what I once was before I came to faith in Jesus Christ will I keep when these come into conflict with His will. I will forsake all to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in discipleship. Even familiar friends and family ties when these prove hostile to the Lord Jesus Christ I will forsake (Matthew 10:37-39).

36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Either the gospel supplants our own designs and desires for our lives, or they choke out the gospel’s priority in our lives and ultimately our faith. For when the Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel is choked out all that is left is the world, and man and woman’s vain pursuits within it, pursing and endorsing and ultimately being corrupted by all that it treasures and values (Consider James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Vs. 38 Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ will not endure divided loyalties; just as God the Father does not. Faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel is not then measured by a mere confession of Him and His Words in safe environments, but out in the world where by so doing by both words and deeds one declares their allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel, not the world.

Jesus concludes His Message by saying …“Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Mark 9:1 Though Jesus’ message is for everyone; here He seems to be addressing His disciples. That is some of them (i.e. Peter, James and John) will be privileged to see Christ’s manifested glory on earth for He knowing their faith transfigures Himself on mount Horeb, which chronologically follows what Jesus has just spoken here.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 8:31-33 Jesus Fortells His Death and Ressurection

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Devotional
This then is the immediate follow up to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, (Mark 8:29) the long awaited for Messiah that Jews looked for in great anticipation of His coming and through His Person and Reign their emancipation. Nonetheless Jesus not wanting to be exalted at this time not only forbids His disciples open declaration of His Person as the Messiah (Mark 8:30), but knowing that they had come to believe in His Person as the Messiah begins telling them what will happen to Him. That He would be rejected “…by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again” vs. 31 All which must have been very troubling to them given that the common understanding was that the Messiah was to bring His Deliverance then immediately set up His Kingdom Reign. Nonetheless Jesus’ Words are fully in accord with what Daniel the prophet foretold would happen to the Messiah (Dan. 9:25-26), even before any such Reign would take place (Psalm 2; 110; Isaiah 32:1-8; 61:1-3 etc.). Therefore Jesus the Messiah (or Christ) as the suffering Servant of God would have to be fulfilled before anything else could happen (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). For it would be through the crucifixion death of the Christ (Psalm 22) that salvation would not only come to the Jews, but also to the entire world.

Now this will be a stumbling block to most Jews (Rom. 9:30-33), yet this is according to the Word of God; for they could not fathom their Messiah who will rule on the throne of King David over the whole world, crucified. Yet it was to be through Jesus Christ’s crucifixion death that God would bring everlasting victory over sin, Satan and death and thus it was according to the predetermined counsels of God that Jesus Christ was to be betrayed by Israel’s leaders (Acts 2:14-40, vs. 23). So that salvation could come to the Gentiles (Romans chapters 9-11). Upon which when the fullness of Gentiles is complete God will open Israel’s eyes to see Jesus as the Christ. Therefore with the disciples understanding of who Jesus is, Jesus begins to foretell them of His rejection as Messiah and betrayal by Israel’s elders, chief priests and scribes and thus it would be they who would hand Him over to the Romans to be crucified. Though it must be unequivocally stated that Jesus Christ’s death is the result of our sins; not just theirs. They merely are the agents by which God fulfills His redemption plans for everyone who believes. By allowing them to execute their own evil desires God fulfills His Word about the Christ. Now within Jesus Christ’s Words is the promise of three days after His death He would rise from the dead. On which all that follows His crucifixion hangs, for if Christ does not rise from the dead to new and everlasting life then neither can anyone else (1 Cor. 15:12-19). That foundation of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion than resurrection is what salvation hinges on. Yet only the twelve are privileged to hear Jesus’ foretelling of His own resurrection from the dead at this point; a resurrection that would make Jesus Christ afterwards, not only God’s victorious King, who vanquished even death (Hosea 13:14 1 Cor. 15:54-55) but Jesus Christ having the Preeminence in all things must be (and now is) the firstborn amongst many brethren (Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5). So that all who believe in Him will likewise rise from dead to new and everlasting life. That is the gospel’s promise new and everlasting life to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead (Eph. 1:13-14). Now seated on High with His Eternal Majesty and Power waiting till God the Father places all His enemies under His feet (Psalm 110:1 Matt. 22:44 Heb. 1:14).
Therefore Jesus Christ’s reign as King would be in stages, first beginning in the believing individual human heart as the Lord Jesus Christ said: “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 “nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21 The Holy Spirit being the Person of God who brings the King and His Kingdom into everyone who believes, in whatever generation they believe. Then at the end of the ages is Jesus Christ’s millennial Kingdom Reign as the Jews anticipated the Priest/King (Messiah) would do on earth on King David’s throne (Zechariah 6:12-13) in the millennial Temple (Ezekiel 40:1-42:20), with a return to observing the Feast of Tabernacles, by which Israel is tested and purified (Zechariah 14:16-20).
As well all the saints down through the ages who will be beheaded for their witness for the Lord Jesus Christ will serve and reign with Him a thousand years during His earthly Reign before Jesus’ finial death blow to Satan and his forces. Something that God Promised back in Genesis with the fall of mankind through Adam’s sin (Gen. 3:15). Then comes the judgment of the unregenerate (Rev. 20), before God’s Eternal Reign where perfected Jews and Gentiles eternally live with God in His Love and Peace forever (1 Cor. 15:20-28). That is a brief summary of some prophetic events (some of which still remain to unfold) from the vantage point of which Jesus is speaking to His disciples. Though Jesus’ emphasis now is on His crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead for believing that one will enter into eternal life (John 5:24-30). The Scripture also says that Jesus spoke these things openly to the disciples. Yet when He had done so Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him (vs. 32), saying “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” Matt. 16:22 “But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 8:33

Clearly Peter in doing so was not discerning properly that the Christ must first die and then rise three days later, but was trying to dissuade Jesus from the very plan of redemption that would save both him and those who would believe in and confess Jesus Christ as Lord afterwards. Therefore Peter has gone from being the first of the disciples to openly and in faith confess Jesus as the Christ or Messiah to now trying to prevent Jesus from fulfilling His purposes as the Messiah. Therefore Jesus’ rebuke here of Peter is immediate and arguably His strongest. Jesus doesn’t mince words with Peter. For without Jesus’ death on the cross the whole world would’ve been condemned. Satan’s subtle use of Peter before this crucial event is fulfilled must never be overlooked by us. Jesus’ Words then “For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” must be seriously heeded by us when we give or receive counsel, for we too can inadvertently detract someone from doing the will of God for their lives if we measure their circumstances by carnal means, as Peter did. And that is what Jesus will warn us all of next, of trying to save our lives, rather than losing them for the Kingdom of heaven’s sake. As He takes this very troubling example of our natural susceptibilities and turns it into a warning for everyone (Mark 8:36-9:1).

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 8:27-30 Jesus asks "Who do you say that I am?"

27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

Devotional
Leaving the region of Bethsaida Jesus now brings His disciples to Caesarea Philippi; a region that will be the northernmost extent of Jesus’ ministry, before His God ordained destiny at Jerusalem (the southernmost) and the cross that awaits Him there. Now it is while they are on the road with Jesus that He asks His disciples two questions ...“Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

That question that Jesus asks His disciples of who they say that He is; is the one question that is above all questions, and which you and I must answer for ourselves. For our response to Jesus’ question will determine our eternal destiny. And in this Jesus’ question about whom do we say He is must be answered by us all in this life. After death the question will not be asked, for God requires our faith and obedience here and now, not then (2 Thess. 1:8-9). Our loyalty to Him through His Son Jesus Christ then must be manifest here and now while we have our breath within us. After death there is no chance for repentance. No chance for faith, either to profess it in the Lord Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all others, or to demonstrate it, as the Apostle James said we would if we believe (James 2:14-26) “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26

Now the Lord Jesus gives us some terrifying glimpses of the afterlife for those who don’t, saying their will weeping and gnashing of teeth then. At least five times in Matthews gospel (Matt. 5:29-30; 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30) and twice in Luke (Luke 13:1-5; 27-28) Jesus warns us of sin, and ultimately unbelief and the terrifying consequences for those who do not repent and believe, saying they will be sent to hell. Saying in that place the worm does not die, nor is the fire quenched (Mark 9:45-48). Nonetheless it is because of that horrible place and God’s deep desire to send no one there, regardless of what they have done, but rather to see them restored back to what we were all created to be, in relationship with God. That is why He sent His Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross to pay for our sins and restore to us back to a right relationship with Himself. And having atoned (i.e. paid) for our sins and transgressions on the cross Jesus rose from the dead so that we might never again be subject to death, which is the consequences of sin (Rom. 6:23), but rather have eternal life by His Spirit dwelling within us when we believe in Him and confess Him as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 1:13-14). For when anyone sees themselves as they really are; sinful and separated from God, and they see Jesus Christ as He really is; Holy and Loving and Kind (Ps. 86:5) being sent from God as His Christ into the world, not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17) and they put their faith in Him, they will be saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Rom. 10:11-13

Salvation begins with a humble request for help, for God’s mercy and grace when we acknowledge our sins to only One who can forgive us of them and heal us from them. Have you than come to believe in Lord Jesus Christ? If so have you confessed Him publically as your Lord and Savior? If you have not why not take your stand for the One who came to die for you so that you might have life, abundant life here and now, and life eternal. Invite Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior then tell someone that you have. For experiencing new life begins by believing in God’s Son. Everything else is just an outworking of having personally received God’s love and grace for you by believing in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 8:22-26 Jesus Restores A Blind Man's Sight

22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

Devotional
If you remember Bethsaida is where Jesus healed a man after feeding the four thousand. Then upon His arrival in Capernaum the Pharisees still not believing in Him sought a sign from which He rebuked by saying no sign would be given them except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Then departing from them, Jesus took the disciples in a boat and while they journeyed the disciples realized they hadn’t brought sufficient bread. This after Jesus had miraculously fed both the five thousand then the four thousand before their eyes and thus Jesus somewhat disturbed by their lack of faith warns them of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, meaning beware of becoming hardened in heart as the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herod’s disciples were. Even Jesus’ disciples (that means us) as the twelve demonstrated, can demonstrate a lack of trust in Him, even after experiencing His Power working in our lives.

In some ways Jesus demonstrates by healing the blind man in stages, both to His disciples, and to us, how our own spiritual sight of God is clouded by sin. Sin within us has made mankind unable to see God clearly, as the blind man was initially unable to see Jesus clearly. The many ways in which people “see” God is one reason why we have so many different religions in the world. Yet Jesus Christ came from God so that we might all see Him clearly. Not as man interprets God to be; again through the clouded lenses of his own sinful nature, but as He is. Now in order to do that God had to rectify the sin problem, and that He has done through the crucifixion death of His Son Jesus Christ. God paid the awful penalty of out sin and made a way for us to receive our spiritual sight by faith in Jesus. Who not only was crucified, but also rose from the dead than Jesus ascended on High back to the Father before pouring His Spirit into the world. Therefore when we believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit comes into our person and transforms us, initially from being spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins separated from God, to Spiritually alive and united with the One true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3). Thus as Jesus Christ died for sin, so we die to sin with Him, thus as Jesus Christ rose from the dead to new life, so we rise to new and everlasting life with Him when we believe in Him (Rom. 6). Then He progressively transforms our character to more and more reflect the Lord Jesus Christ. As well Jesus Christ gives us that desire; a new heart that wants to be more and more like Him, and thus we seek to change, from the old sinful self to the new holy man even while we are being changed within (Rom. 12:1-2; Phil. 2:12). For ultimately God Himself by His Spirit is working out both His plans and purposes for us who love Him (Rom. 8).

Now Bethsaida along with Chorazin and Capernaum Jesus condemned because of their unbelief towards Him (See Matt. 11:20-30). Bethsaida was the hometown of Peter, Andrew his brother, and Philip. If you read John’s gospel you will see how readily they came to faith in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately their fellow brethren did not, just as the people of Nazareth; Jesus’ hometown did not. So the people in these regions largely will not as well, though it was in these that Jesus did most of His miracles in Galilee, and in their presence. Now with Jesus’ return to Bethsaida they, meaning the people there came to Him and beg Him that He should touch the blind man whom they brought to Him. However Jesus does not heal the man immediately before them. Instead He takes the blind man by the hand and leads him out of town, away from the people. The passage than says, Jesus spit in the man’s eyes, and put His hands on him. Then He asked the man if he saw anything (vs. 23). With that the man responded to Jesus by saying, “I see men like trees, walking.” Vs. 24 So Jesus again put His hands on the man’s eyes and made him look up. The Scripture then says he was restored and saw everyone clearly (vs. 25). Then Jesus sent him to his house saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.” Vs. 26

Now Jesus had already pronounced woes on this region. Jesus earlier said: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 “But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 “But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. Matt. 11:21-26

Therefore Jesus’ healing the blind man He did outside of the city of Bethsaida where He with His disciples and the man were alone. The miracle than was for their eyes so that they might see Him better. The question than is have you seen Jesus, maybe not perfectly as the blind man did not initially. But have you come to a basic understanding of who Jesus Christ is? If so the next step to take is to personally receive God's Son into your heart for yourself. For consider the blind man who couldn’t heal himself, but when he came to Jesus Christ, Jesus without reservation did. For it’s not what you don’t yet see or understand of God that matters to God it’s that you come to Him to receive true sight of Him from Him, for only Jesus Christ can restore you to God and give you eternal life when you believe in Him. Spiritually than where are you? Have you seen your need for Jesus Christ and come to Him in repentance and faith? The Lord Jesus after pronouncing those terrifying woes in Matthew 11:20-24 also gave an beautiful invitation for all, to come to Him and receive His Person, as He is, for Jesus Christ says to all: 28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and begin to see God as He really is than please do so. New life awaits you. Simply pray in faith something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that you are come from God to die on the cross for the sins of the world and save all who repent and believe in you. Therefore I now invite you into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, in your Name Lord Jesus, amen.




Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 8:14-21 Jesus Warns of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18 “Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 “When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” 20 “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.” 21 So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

Devotional
Jesus having left the Pharisees departs with the disciples in a small fishing boat and again crosses the Sea of Galilee with them. And so it is during their journey that the disciples realize they had forgotten to take sufficient bread with them (vs. 14). Now the word that the disciples use here for bread is the word commonly used to describe leavened bread; which itself was analogous to eating a whole meal; and was previously used by Jesus as a metaphor for His Person and His doctrine (John 6:35). And so with their declaration of having not taken enough bread; even though Jesus had previously fed the five thousand, and then the four thousand. Jesus now solemnly charges them saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Vs. 15 Now leaven itself was not just yeast mixed with flour, but rather “…old sour dough (stored and then used as a fermentation agent by adding juices), which was hidden in the new dough in order to permeate it and give it lightness.” NIDNNT

Therefore Jesus is taking the disciples concern for their having not taken sufficient bread, specifically leavened bread, and using it to warn them about the “leaven” of the Pharisees and Herod. And in this context Jesus makes it clear that His use of the metaphor of leaven is a warning for the disciples faith not to fall victim to the Pharisees or the Herodians (that is the followers of the Pharisees or Herod) doctrine or their manner of life, something that they themselves do not immediately perceive (vs. 16-21). What was immediately known to them, and not likely to us though is that the amount of leaven required to “leaven” a whole loaf was relatively small. For it’s not the quantity of the “old sour dough” that leavens (and in this context that means ruins) the whole loaf, it is the leaven itself. The Apostle Paul also employs the metaphor of leaven to warn believers whom he by the Holy Spirit draws analogy with the Passover bread. That is the unleavened bread God required of the Israelites in keeping the Passover feast, likewise becoming ruined by the infiltrating effects of leaven, which again is a Biblical metaphor for sin and or evil influences. Thus the Lord Jesus’ warning is a clear warning about the corrupting effects of unchecked sin and or false or legalistic doctrine, both on the individual believer and or the church congregation. (See 1 Cor. 5:1-13, vs. 6-7; Gal. 5:1-14, vs. 9). That is why the Apostle Paul warns us all: "A little leaven leavens the whole loaf." 1 Cor. 5:9

Now in both Matthew and Luke we are told what the leaven of the Pharisees is. Jesus says it is both their doctrine (Matt. 16:11-12) and their hypocrisy (Luke 12:1-2). For the two it are intertwined. Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary gives this as their first definition for hypocrisy: "a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess." In other words though the Pharisees appear outwardly religious to all. They themselves do not have faith in God, nor do they live according to it. That is why they sought signs from Jesus’ not to verify His coming from God but rather because of their unbelief about Him. For as Jesus showed the Pharisees many signs yet their own hearts were not moved to believe in Him. Therefore Jesus’ warning to His disciples is in one sense a warning not to let their own hearts become hardened like them, for they having seen the many things Jesus did needed to trust Him. The reason for this as Jesus’ makes clear is that one’s spiritual sensitivity to the things of God can become calloused when one does not. Yes they believed in Jesus as coming from God but it seems here that they had not yet fully matured to place of trusting Him as God in all His fullness, as able to meet all their needs. We too as Christ’s disciples who believe in Jesus Christ must beware of our own lack of trust at times, because the leaven of doubt and unbelief is caustic to a life of faith. Nonetheless we have this promise from God who is changing us by His Spirit day by day because we believe in His Son, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28

Therefore as we grow in our knowledge of God we must strive to grow in our trust of Him. That is one element of faith that requires our active participation. Sometimes this will require our actively pursuing Christ’s will in obedience to Him, and sometimes it will require us just waiting patiently on the Lord. The point is that if we have come to faith in Jesus Christ than we can trust God is working out all things together for our good. Our circumstances do not dictate our destiny, Jesus Christ does. Therefore let us always be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2

Now hypocrisy also has another element for us to understand in light of the Scriptures placing us all under sin and thus making the only way for us to be justified (or declared righteous) in the sight of God by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:22-25). That is of self-righteousness or justifying oneself before God or man, whether by one’s own obedience to the Law of God, or by the works of man, which in God’s sight is unjustifiable (See Luke 18:9-14; Rom. 4:4-5; Gal. 5:1, 4-6). Since it is only our faith in the Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead that justifies us (Rom. 3:19-28). Now in regards to this type of hypocrisy in several passages in the gospel the Lord Jesus Christ takes great offense at the Pharisees who were particularly proud of their own righteousness which they thought they earned for themselves, often by their devoutly adhering to the traditions of their elders, which ironically only caused them to nullify God’s commands for them (Matt. 15:1-9). Even while their own hearts and lives were full of greed and lawlessness (Luke 16:14-18). They seem to be unaware of their own wickedness. Matthew chapter twenty three is the definitive chapter of their ways, and the Lord Jesus’ censure of them. Now in regards to their doctrine it is legalism. The essence of which is giving greater weight to relatively insignificant things as Jesus said: “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. 24 “Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” Matt. 23:23-24

Equally in regards to the Sabbath the Pharisees laid great weight on its observance according to their very strict ideals. Yet it was in adhering to their own commandments on how the Sabbath was to be observed that they themselves were both hypocritical and often cruel. Yet they were blind to these things in their lives. But that is what legalism does; it distorts faith in God, and ultimately you, if you remain loyal to it. For through it you will justify great evils in defense of its unjust ideals. And that is what Jesus exposed when He first challenged the Pharisees by declaring Himself Lord of the Sabbath and thus their ideals about it nullified and void, for having done so they only sought to kill Him (Matt. 12:9-14; Mark 2:23-27; Mark 3:1-6).

Therefore legalism always fails because it grieves the human spirit of life, by adhering to what is not essential to it. In contrast Jesus comes into our world and lives bringing life in all its fullness. By first restoring us back to God the Father, the Giver of Life, by fulfilling God’s justice for us on the cross. Jesus makes a way for God’s mercy to find us all. Then He fills us with His Life by the Holy Spirit, who not only gives us eternal life the moment we believe, but Jesus Christ’s Person and life within us and thus God removes all that could ever again separate us from Himself and Life again (John 10:27-30; Eph. 1:13-14).

In contrast to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the bread of life, who brings abundant life in every aspect of life, by opening the door to a relationship with God the Father for us (John 10:9-10). The Pharisees leaven though will only bring you into “dead religion”. Binding your soul and conforming your mind and life to the doctrines and commandments of men that they themselves weave into the fabric of faith, as if essential to it. Instead of just believing, and letting the transforming Power of God work in people’s lives. They turn the grace of God into dead works, and try to do what only God can. Both atone for our sins and regenerate us from them (Titus 3:4-7). For that is what Jesus Christ said the work of God for us is… “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29 That is Jesus Christ crucified and Risen from the dead for the salvation of everyone who believes. That is how we enter into God’s grace and commanded rest, by faith in Jesus Christ’s Person (Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 4). Therefore adhere to the petty traditions and insignificant doctrines of men as the Pharisees did and you will pass by the love and justice of God for them (Consider Hosea 12:6; Micah 6:8; Luke 11:42-43). For that is what is at stake. All such things then are simply that old sour leaven that invades the whole new loaf; that is the unleavened bread of the gospel, and thus ruins the holy and pure faith by seeking to be justified by the Law, or by the works of man; all which is only to fall from grace, as the Apostle Paul said, rather than eagerly wait for the righteousness by faith (See Gal. 5:1, 4-5). Yet the Pharisees’ leaven comes in so many forms, and often is so ingrained as if it were essential to the faith, that to try to name it all would wear out even the most zealous and dogmatic.

In essence just name an “ism” in Christendom and you will have hit one form or another; either the Pharisees leaven or its antitheses the Sadducee's, which Matthews parallel passage likewise warns about (See Matt. 16:5-12). However Biblical Christianity has no “isms”. Neither the Lord Jesus Christ nor the Biblical Apostles ever commended us to any of them. Why then to believers make “orthodoxy” such things?
Holding dearly to the traditions and ideals of men rather than to the Word of God and justification by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone; all which only divides the visible Body of Christ into various theological camps. Therefore wisely consider the Word of God which declares there is one body, one Spirit, one hope and one calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all who believe (My paraphrase of Eph. 4:3-6). Therefore religious leaven is not harmless. When sown into the gospel it not only undermines the unity of the Spirit but it will permeate your faith and thinking and distort your faith in Jesus Christ making you a spiritual slave and servant of it, and not the gospel. And thus it will hinder the Holy Spirit’s working most effectively in your own as well as your congregations life. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Rom. 10:3-4
Thus the leaven of the Pharisees is dangerous since those who live by it ultimately will decide for themselves who is acceptable to the Lord Jesus Christ and who is not. And by what standards they are acceptable to the Lord, or are not. Rather than letting Jesus Christ crucified and ones faith in Him and thus the Holy Spirit within us, who gifts us according to His will, decide. Thus when they do that they only supplant the Holy Spirit's electing work in their congregations with their own (1 Cor. 12:4-11).
Inevitably then you will see people through the clouded lenses of whatever your “ism” holds onto as fundamental to it. Yet there is nothing more foundational than the cross of Christ, and thus repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ who alone brings us into eternal life. Who commands us that we keep His commandments, not mans. Therefore look at how Jesus relates to people in their lives circumstances and how the Pharisees constantly found fault with His dealings with people (Matt. 9:9-13; Luke 7:36-50; John 8:1-12). In contrast to the Pharisees elitism and their separating themselves from the "common" people, Jesus Christ finds common ground with all people. For in Jesus Christ’s Kingdom there are no social or religious barriers to overcome, no mountains to climb, no theological hoops to jump through (Gal. 3:26-29), for the Son of Man came to seek and save that which is lost, offering God’s grace to all without partiality through the gospel (Luke 19:1-10).
Therefore even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins (both sins we have committed and our sinful nature) and thus separated from God and true life. Jesus Christ made us alive together with Himself; having forgiven us all our trespasses when we believed in Him. He also baptized us into His Body and sealed us with His Holy Spirit and thus brought us into the New Covenant community and new and everlasting life with Himself. Are you then holding onto Jesus Christ the Head of the Body and Lord of All or something or someone less? (Please Read Col. 2:1-23). For if it is not exclusively Jesus Christ’s Person, crucified and risen from the dead and your faith in Him, than your living outside of the true faith. That looks only to the Lord Jesus Christ and seeks to obey Him through His and the Biblical Apostles commands, by grace and truth. “For the Law was given through Moses but grace and truth comes through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

And thus where there was once Biblical stipulations for Old Covenant Israel to keep saying: do not touch, do not taste, do not eat etc. There is now the glorious liberty of the children of God (Read Acts 15; 2 Cor. 3; Col. 2). For in Christ Jesus it is faith working through love, as what matters to God. Not idle faith, but faith working through love (Gal. 5:6). Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ gives every believer the freedom to decide for themselves to eat whatever foods they will eat, or drink whatever they will drink (Col. 2:20-22). Yes God now gives us all liberty to enjoy heartily whatever types of food we like to enjoy, or even to abstain from them. For we are all at liberty to eat or not to eat, fast or not to fast. For belonging to Jesus Christ, God gives no one the right to impose man made regulations and restrictions on us. “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Rom. 14:17-19 Only in regards to offending or harming another believer’s conscience are warned against exercising our liberty (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 8, 10). Yes in belonging to Jesus Christ God gives us all liberty to live in Him freely and abundantly without observing the endless constraints and ideals of men who exalt days, weeks, years, Sabbath’s or whatever else they try to exalt as incumbent upon believers (Gal. 4:9-11). Therefore we are free to enjoy and explore God's creation in all of its diversity, wonders and mysteries on any day or time we deem it appropriate to do so. Yes Jesus gives us liberty to enjoy and excel at whatever sports, hobbies, arts, crafts, literature, music we enjoy, as long as these do not choke out the Word of God and thus ones faith in Him. Though it is impossible to touch on every aspect of life that the leaven of the Pharisees sadly infiltrates, hopefully the overall principal of liberty will be concordant with you who know and obey the truth, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. For we know that “we walk by faith not by sight” 2 Cor. 5:7

Now the leaven of Herod outside of the cunning ruthlessness and licentiousness of that family dynasty and their followers is that by which one seeks to maintain the status quo. That is what the disciples of Herod were, fierce defenders of that status quo. *** Therefore in one sense the leaven of Herod is manifested by those who seek to maintain the status quo and themselves secure within it, even when there is clearly injustice and or unrighteousness present. That is what the Herod family legacy could be summed up as. For by all historical accounts the Herod’s were a politically astute family who ascended to power, and kept themselves there, by both cunning and ruthlessness. They knew how to appease Rome and or quell the various factions in Israel, both political and religious. As well their lifestyle was typically Greco-Roman and thus they like the Sadducee's lived only for their own pleasures. Though they were by all accounts "religious" in that their father began Temple reconstruction to appease his Jewish subjects; and the ruling Herod at the time of Jesus willingly listened to John the Baptist preach, they all were anything but Godly. For their primary focus was on power, primarily political power, and to attain this they aligned themselves with Rome (the controlling state regime) while eliminating whatever factions hindered their ends as Rome's appointed Governor's over the Jews. In that sense the leaven of Herod could be summed up as to beware of the seduction of power. For through it one will commit great atrocities. As Herod did in having John the Baptist beheaded so as not to appear weak before his powerful guests. Therefore please consider that the Lord Jesus never told His disciples to seek either positions or privileges for themselves. The call of the disciple is ultimately service, not “lordship” (See Mark 10:32-45, vs. 42-45).
Now in regards to maintaining the status quo the Holy Spirit’s work always entails forward change as He brings new believers into the faith and Spiritually equips them according to His will. There will be inevitable changes to the status quo. For the Lord Jesus came to not only remove sins corruption within the individual heart and transform it into His hearts likeness, but also institutionalized corruption as well, which made Him an enemy of all the various factions of religious and political powers in Israel (Matt. 21:12-14; John 2:13-22). Now this point may best be made by a Scriptural contrast. In John 3:16 we read: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Consider, God loves us and He gave His Son, for the eternal benefit of us all. That is what God is like. In contrast to John 3:16 the Apostle James had to write believers about self seeking ambition and the demonic evil that works through people's lives because of it. There James poignantly warned about the “wisdom” which is earthly, sensual, demonic… before commending the wisdom that is from above. (See Bellow)
“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-16

Believers then are to never envy another believers Spirit gifts or calling. For was that not the root sin of Korah, the cousin of Aaron and Moses, who was also a Levite as they were and thus he envied Aaron's and Moses calling and positions given them by God. Yet rather then serving God in the position God gave him he exalted himself and his company against them (See Num. 16:1-50). Therefore believers who are motivated by envy or self seeking ambition are as the Apostle James warns going to be suspect to the enemy’s schemes. For the church is not to be a place for men (or women) to practice their own ambitious desires. If God has equipped you and called into a certain area of service than humbly pursue it. But if He has not then don’t let envy or selfish ambition drive you to try to attain to something that He Himself is not endorsed or equipped you for. For Spiritual leadership in the Body, comes by the Holy Spirit who He selects and equips. It does not come through the desires and will of man either for themselves or others (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:11).
Now in regards to trying to maintain the status quo believers need to be on guard against resisting change in how the gospel is presented or worship music is composed and performed. For though the gospel does not change, underline that thought. The mediums through which it is presented to people inevitably will. As both technology and culture inevitably change, both the mediums and the methods will need to adapt. As the Apostle Paul said of his own evangelistic ministry: "...I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you." (See 1 Cor. 9:19-23). Yesterday radio and TV were widely and effectively used, today there is also the Internet and text messaging, tomorrow there will another new medium. Therefore we must be willing to adapt to societal and culture changes (not their morals or values, Rom. 12:1-2). But whatever current technologies are available to us, we must be willing to employ if we hope to stay in touch with where people are going and how they are communicating and seeking information. Now this does not disavow previous methods, nor does it change the message, it simply expands and looks for the opportunities where they exist. The leaven of Herod though will resist that sort of change. It will seek to keep the status quo (whatever that may be) and seek to conform people to it, as if that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet that is only the leaven of Herod that Jesus warned the disciples about. Therefore think of new and creative ways (through whatever mediums are available to you) to present the gospel of the grace of God so all might hear and be given a chance to believe.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Additional Resources
NIDNNT: New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Abridged Edition) page 226, Verlyn D. Verbrugge, Editor

Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary, Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.

*** Notion gleaned from: Word in Life Study Bible . Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1996.

*For insights on legalism see earlier blog tittled "Legalism Exposed"

Mark 8:11-13 The Pharisees Seek a Sign from Jesus

11Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 12 But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” 13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side.


Devotional
Jesus after feeding the four thousand now returns with His disciples to the land of Galilee. To a place called Dalmanutha. In Matthew’s parallel passage Matthew refers to it as Magdala (See Matt. 15:39). It appears then that Dalmanutha was near or akin to Magdala on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee, near the hometown or birthplace of Mary Magdalene. ***
And so with Jesus and the twelve disciples back in the land of Galilee the Scripture states: “Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him.” Vs.11 Even though Jesus had recently just miraculously fed the four thousand; something that they themselves in all likelihood would have been aware of. Yet it is clear by both the nature of their inquiry, and Jesus' brief response to them, that they themselves were still hardened to the fact that Jesus is truly the Son of God, sent from God, first to His covenant people, and now to all people. And so their seeking a sign from Jesus was (by external appearances) to find evidence that God had sent a prophet to His people. For if the sign came to pass that was to confirm that the prophets message was from God. As long as the prophet did not try to turn the people’s hearts away from God, then the prophets sign was to be respected, and his message obeyed (Deut. 13:1-5). That is how God told Israel to identity His prophets.
Now Jesus Christ Himself was “a sign” (if you like) from God (Luke 2:34-35). From the angel Gabriel's foretelling of Jesus' birth to Joseph and Mary and how He would both establish God's everlasting Kingdom with men and save His people from their sins, (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-33). To the Lord Jesus Christ being heralded in by angels, in the heavens, at His birth (Luke 2:13-14). To even John the Baptist being raised up by God to preach a baptism of repentance, according to God’s Prophetic Word (Mal. 3:1; Matt. 11:10) to prepare Israel for Jesus imminent arrival (Matt. 3:1-3). So that all who repent and believe in Him will have remission of all their sins and everlasting life (Acts 5:31-32). Therefore John in faith and obedience to God declared to all that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Which was continually confirmed by God Himself through all of Jesus' merciful acts and healings by the Holy Spirit that He did; who even confirmed Jesus at His baptism by God when God Himself openly declared “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 4:17

Therefore the Pharisees if not eye witnesses to some of these things, would have been told of many, if not all of them. And so their seeking a sign at this point from Jesus seems utterly unreal! For they being experts in the Law of God surely should have been able to instinctively piece together at least some of the many Old Testament Scriptures which fortell of the Christ's (or Messiah's) Person, were in fact being fulfilled in their very presence, and in their very days! For the Lord Jesus Christ is the only One whom the Scriptures foretell and point to (Genesis 3:15; 49:10; Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Psalm 2 (vs.7); 8:2; 8:4-6; 22; 16:10; 34:20; 35:11; 35:19; 40:7-8; 41:9; 45:6-7; 68:18; 69:9; 69:21; 110:1, 4; 118:22-23; Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-2; 42:1-4; 52:13-53:12; 61:1-2; Jeremiah 23:5-6; 31:10; 31:15; Ezekiel 34:11-16; Daniel; 9:25-26; Hosea 11:1; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9; 11:12-13; Matthew 2:23; Acts 3:11-26; 13:16-41 etc.) Even the Law of God which the Jews seemingly trust in, always point to faith in Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation from sin and death, not Moses and the Law (Hab 2:4; Acts 13:38-41; Rom. 3:19-28; Gal. 3:19-25). Therefore the Pharisees in seeking a sign from Jesus after He had just fed the four thousand, and the five thousand previous to that, when Jesus revealed Himself as the bread of life come down from heaven to feed mankind (John 6:35) were not inquiring of Jesus Christ as seekers wanting to confirm God’s Word, which He Himself had already amply done.
Their purpose in trying to test Jesus was born out of their unbelief about Him (John 7:47). They already had ample evidence that verified His Person, both of what they had seen and heard. God had already revealed Himself through Jesus Christ to them, just as He does today through both His Word and His people to all people. Therefore with the Pharisees seeking a sign from Him, Jesus does not give them a sign. For God does not give signs to change a person’s hardened heart from unbelief to faith. That is why Jesus says no sign shall be given to this generation; that is to them and all those like them, who simply refuse to believe and thus receive His Person. For again though God gives signs to confirm to His people that it is He who is speaking to them, of which they had plenty. He does not give signs to those who refuse to believe the revelation already given them. Jesus’ response than to the Pharisees request for a sign shows a heart that is deeply wearied by the unbelief in theirs; for the Scripture says. “But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” Vs. 12

Now the word translated sighed deeply is an intensified form of the word used to described someone sighing; it means, “to draw up deep sighs from the bottom of the breast, to sigh deeply” Enhanced Strong’s
Jesus then manifested the weight of a Man who having done so many amazing and merciful things and just recently having healed an incredibly disabled man, then fed four thousand people before arriving back in Galilee, was deeply wearied by the Pharisees hardened hearts towards Him. Notice both Mark and Matthew’s parallel passage (See Matt. 16:1-4) then records that Jesus left the Pharisees (Mark 8:13) not just a literal leaving, which He did, but a leaving of them to their own unbelief and miss understandings about Him. For the Pharisees were externally religious men, but internally their lives and their doctrine were corrupted and hypocritical. For them to seek a sign from Jesus was not only hypocritical in that they themselves did not have genuine faith in God. But they themselves made themselves out to be the keepers of the truth, while living contrary to it. That is why Jesus in Matthews parallel passage (Matt. 16:1-4 ) calls them a wicked and adulterous generation whom He will give no sign to, except the sign of Jonah the prophet, which is a reference to His own resurrection from the dead which is the ultimate sign of His coming from God.
Jesus then didn’t give them the sign they requested, nor will He give you a sign if you request one from Him as proof of His Person coming from God, though the devil might. The Lord Jesus Christ’s Person must be believed by faith, not blind faith, but evidential faith, of His coming from God as the Scriptures foretell and which He has fulfilled (Heb 11:1). God’s Word plus the Lord Jesus Christ's own deeds and Words is a sign enough as Jesus has clearly said (Read John 5:31-47).


Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Additional Resources
*** Gleaned from articles on Dalmanutha and Magdala in Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary, Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.

Mark 8:1-10 Jesus Feeds The Four Thousand

1 In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 “And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.” 4 Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?” 5 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” 6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, 10 immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

Devotional
This passage is paralleled in Matt. 15:32-39 and occurs chronologically after Jesus fed the five thousand near the eastern hilly shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. Now this occurs in Decapolis in the land of the Gentiles. For Jesus’ having healed a man there who was brought to Him now has a huge multitude begin to follow Him and these all continue with Him three days and so they having nothing to eat the Lord has compassion on them.

Though Jesus previously miraculously fed a great multitude of five thousand this occurrence has some distinctions in contrast to the previous occurrence. In the feeding of the five thousand the Jewish Passover was at hand and thus Jesus intentionally uses that incident to reveal that He is the embodiment of it, first to be broken as the bread is broken and distributed freely amongst them, then to have His blood shed as a sacrifice for the sins of world, thus through that incident Jesus manifests Himself as God’s Manna sent from heaven to feed people Spiritually to give them Spiritual life. “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 Therefore it was the Spiritually realities that underlie that miraculous act that Jesus was clearly emphasizing and portraying to them, testing both His disciples and them so that their hearts and the depth of their faith might be revealed to them (Read John 6:26-69).
As well this time the disciples do not ask Jesus to send the multitude away to buy bread for themselves as they did before when He presented them with the situation, after just one day, since Jesus again initiates, but this time He says to the disciples: 2 “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 “And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.” Vs. 2-3
Jesus then is again demonstrating a heartfelt concern for those who seek to follow Him. What is different is there are no towns or villages nearby as in the feeding of the five thousand which took place near Bethsaida where the multitude could’ve been sent away to buy bread for themselves. So the situation in that sense is far more direr. What isn’t different is the disciple’s hardness of heart which seems to be blinded to the possibility that Jesus can feed these folks just as He did in the other incident. Maybe in some ways we are seeing the progression of faith that Jesus builds in His disciples as He spiritually feeds them? For the disciples respond to Jesus by saying …“How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?” vs. 4 Yet for Jesus to feed this multitude as He has already demonstrated is nothing. What is needed is our faith and our willingness to enter into His Work in the world. Are you then willing to enter into Christ’s labors with Him? The disciples, though not unwilling to enter into God’s labor were unsure on how the need was going to be met, and thus they handcuffed themselves. For they were looking at it from a perspective of what can they do to meet the need, rather than what Christ can. But Jesus doesn’t work that way. If He did He would raise up for Himself a couple of Bill Gates type philanthropy workers and seek to build His Kingdom that way. But Jesus doesn’t work that way. He works through ordinary people with ordinary lives, abilities and resources and does extraordinary things. So that God receives the glory, not man (Consider 1 Cor. 1:26-31). Therefore Jesus responds to the disciples question by saying …“How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” Vs. 5 Notice Jesus doesn’t say how much money is in the money box; as the disciples reasoned in the feeding of the five thousand, that they didn’t have enough money to buy bread so all the multitude could eat (John 6:7). Instead Jesus says to the disciples how much bread do you have on hand? Not what you will have when you retire or acquire “enough”.
But what do have on hand right now that you can use to build His Kingdom? Time, talents, resources, personal connections, you name it, for you know. What can you give to the most worthy cause in the world? That is for the salvation of it, from the sin within it, and the death that results from it (Rom. 6:23). God has given everybody something. Even our fears and failures God can turn into good for His kingdom when we trust Him to do what we can’t. In feeding of the five thousand incident it was a faith filled boy who provided five loaves and two fish (John 6:9) which became the catalyst that Jesus chose to work through when the disciples despairing, thought they could do nothing; for they were only seeing a crises before them, rather than the possibilities. Yet Jesus met the entire need so that everyone could eat, and still there were twelve baskets of left over fragments; the significance of which we won’t get into right now. So now Jesus is asking His disciples to trust to Him with what they have, so that He might multiply it.

So with the disciples giving to Jesus the seven loaves He commands the multitude to sit on the ground. And with that He takes the seven loafs gives thanks and in His hands (don’t miss this) Jesus breaks the bread and gives it to His disciples who then distribute it to the crowds (vs. 6), similarly with the fish (vs. 7). First our lives and resources go into Christ’s hands then He distributes them through His disciples so that all the need is met. That is how the early church functioned (Acts 4:32-36; 6:1-7). Now we don’t have to dogmatically follow that pattern (and become cult like), nor do we give blindly and without discernment and accountability. But we do have a clear Biblical model of co-operative faith working together, which is so much better than individuals striving apart to achieve the same goal.

And with that everybody ate and was filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. The significance being that is what they started out with! What at the start looked like it would cost them everything in reality cost them nothing. In the Book of Ecclesiastes it says:

“Cast your bread upon the waters,

For you will find it after many days.” Ecc. 11:1

Where’s your bread in your storehouse gathering mold (consider Luke 12:15-48) or is it in the Lord’s hands where He can multiply it and distribute it so that others and yourself will be filled by Him. The passage concludes by saying that those who ate were about four thousand (vs. 9). As well it states that Jesus sent the multitudes away, something that Jesus frequently did, either personally greeting people or bidding them a farewell. Even with large crowds, Jesus was a Man of gracious hospitality; a Man who delivered His Kingdom message with tact and grace so that all might believe and be saved. And so with the people’s departure Jesus immediately got into the boat with His disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha to minister there (vs.10). Now serving Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of heaven begins by first entering into it. And this anyone can do when they believe in Jesus Christ crucified and raised from dead so that their sins can be forgiven and they can be brought into a everlasting relationship with God the Father through faith in Him. For the Scripture says: “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Rom. 10:9-13

Have you called on the name of the Lord? Sincerely and truthfully, knowing that there is nothing you can do to save yourself from your sins? God isn’t out to condemn you for admitting to Him what He already knows about you. But He is out to change you, first by providing atonement for your sins that is what Jesus’ crucifixion accomplishes. He saves you from His judgment against your sins. Then He transforms you. That is what the Holy Spirit does, conforming your character to Christ’s. Not your personality, but your moral and spiritual character to Jesus Christ’s. Who when He became flesh became the perfect embodiment of what humanity should be like. That is God’s salvation plan for humanity, for everyone who repents of their sins and turns to God through faith in Jesus Christ, God by the Holy Spirit makes them a new creation In Christ and thus apart of God’s new created order to be physically established with Christ’s return. For now the Kingdom of God is as Jesus said within you, within everyone who believes in Him and has believed in ages past is already apart of Jesus Christ’s eternal Kingdom. The alternative is to remain willfully unbelieving, spiritually dead in ones sins and trespasses separated from God because of them and one day if one dies in that degenerate state to spend an eternity in hell, where Jesus said the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:43-48). But that is not the will of God for anyone, no matter what you have done, that is not God’s will for you, for “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Therefore while the Lord delays His return don’t delay your decision, be ready for the Lord Jesus Christ’s return by accepting Him and His offer to pardon your sins and change you here and now. For when He returns or you die, it will be too late as Jesus revealed in His parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). That is why the Scriptures say today is the day of salvation, for God will not hold back fulfilling His Word for anyone. Not tomorrow, but right now is the appointed time to invite Jesus Christ into your life while there is still time. You may want to pray a salvation prayer, like Billy Graham uses or you may want to pray something from your own heart. It doesn’t matter what matters is that you invite Jesus Christ into your heart and life and then chose to follow Him in obedience to the gospel that is all that matters. This life is a moment, a fleeting moment, and then it’s gone. Don't waste yours on nothing. Prepare for eternity today by making your decision for Jesus Christ.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 7:31-37 Jesus heals in Decapolis

31 Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. 32 Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Devotional
From the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon Jesus now moves into another Gentile region, Decapolis, into the very heart of it. It was from this region that early on multitudes came to follow Jesus. And it was in this region as well that Jesus after healing the demon possessed man who lived amongst the tombs in the region of Gadara; went and told it everywhere in the region of Decapolis what Jesus had done for him. Decapolis was after all a region comprising of at least ten major cities, (of Greek polis city states), Gadara being one of them. Located mostly on the eastern side of the Jordan River it circumvented about ¼ of the southeastern section of the Sea of Galilee running as far north as Damascus of Syria and south to modern day Ammon in Jordan. Its union was that it was the hub for originally Greek than Roman culture, thought and political life in what was otherwise Semitic lands. In other words in Jesus’ time this was the epicenter of Roman culture in occupied Israel. If Jesus had a “Jewish only” agenda His visiting this region which was thoroughly Greco-Roman in thought and culture would have quickly quelled that. But as we will see Jesus didn’t preach Moses and the Law but the Kingdom of Heaven which encompasses every tongue, tribe and nation which exercises in faith in God exclusively through Him. So it will be that while Jesus is in the region of Decapolis near the Sea of Galilee that they will bring to Him a man “…who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.” Vs. 32
Jesus’ response is not to heal the man in the presence of them all. Rather He takes the man aside. Away from the multitude; than Jesus puts His fingers in the man’s ears and spat and touched the man’s tongue. Then Jesus looked up to heaven, and sighing He says to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Vs. 34 Now with Jesus words immediately the man’s tongue was loosed from its impediment and his hearing was restored and the man spoke plainly (vs. 35). I’m not sure why Jesus touched both the man’s ears and tongue before He spoke since it was His Word which made the man well. It may have been He did so because that is what they requested; that Jesus lay His hands on the man to heal him. And really it doesn’t matter. Jesus healed by both personal touch and by personal Word sometimes combing the two, sometimes not. Now with the man’s healing Jesus plainly commands them that they should tell no one. Yet the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it (vs. 36). Now at certain times Jesus did not want His miraculous works revealed. At least not until He had fulfilled His purposes with His death on the cross than resurrection. In three instances this occurs: the first being after Jesus gave His Sermon on the Mount and a leper came to Him requesting to be healed, (Matt. 8:1-4) which Jesus graciously did but after doing so He commands him to tell no one, but rather go and “…show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Mark 1:44 Thus Jesus wanted him to be His living witness of the Power of God through Jesus Christ to transform lives, not to the crowds, but to the priests, who should have known and believed, but in reality did not. Yet that man went out and proclaimed it freely and so Jesus could no longer go into the town openly but instead He had to stay in the country and people came to Him from every quarter (Mark 1:45). The next instance is when Jesus raises a little girl from the dead. Yet Jesus keeps the astonished parents who were eye witnesses to it from telling others (Mark 5:21-43). Finally we have the instance here which the people who brought Jesus the man when they saw how He healed him the Scripture says: And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Vs. 37
Jesus truly opens the ears of the deaf and loosens the tongues of the mute. Both then and now of men and women everywhere of every culture and background who hear His voice through His Word. As He draws people to Himself, speaking to our hearts and souls and minds, saying:

"Look to Me, and be saved,

All you ends of the earth!

For I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22

Than Jesus looses our tongues so that we might confess Him as Lord and declare His righteousness and sing God's praises, and His alone. Since He "...Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25

What are you looking too? Is it Jesus Christ, God's only Son, crucified for your sins remission and raised from the dead for your justification before God the Father when you believe in Him and confess Him as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10). Or are you looking to yourself, trusting your own righteousness to make you approved before God the Father? Yes, God loves those who follow righteousness (Prov. 15:9) but He cannot bear the self righteousness who trust in themselves rather than God (Prov. 16:5; Luke 18:9-14). For in God's sight there is none who are righteous, no not one (Rom. 3:10). If there were then there would have been no need for Jesus Christ to have to suffer and die in our place so that God might save us by His crucifixion for our sins (Gal. 2:21). As the prophet Isaiah says in foretelling of the Lord Jesus Christ's crucifixion:

 "But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Our peace with God comes at a cost and that cost can only be paid by Christ. Read the Bible and look into God's commandments, than examine your own heart and life, and see that you are like all others, sinful. Maybe not to the same degree as others, nonetheless we are all guilty of sin before God as the Scriptures says "all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23
Who then is going to pay the debt? We can't, since God has shut all of humanity under sin making self redemption impossible. Nonetheless God did not leave us without hope, rather so that He might have mercy on all who believe, He gave us His Son so that whoever looks to Him crucified and raised from the dead He might not only remit our sins, Jesus Christ having paid the penalty for them on the cross, He might also transform our person here and now by Christ's Power through His Spirit dwelling within us making us fit for and apart of the Kingdom of heaven here and now. Eternal life is not something you get when you die, it's something God gives you and places in you by His Spirit dwelling within you here and now, the moment you believe (Eph. 1:13-14). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Do you have eternal life? Are you sure you know that you are ready to stand before God the Father when you die? Will Jesus Christ be your Righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21) and Advocate (1 John 2:1) on that day, or will you stand alone clothed only in you're sins and transgressions?
If you're not sure, make sure, right now ask the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart. If you believe, invite Him in and tell Him you trust Him and only Him by His death on the cross for your sins remission for you want to repent of your sins. And His Spirit, the Holy Spirit will help you do so. For no one can cleanse themselves from their sins and change their inner person, which is corrupted by sin, only Christ can, and this He does by His shed blood, for "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Heb. 9:22 Then by His Spirit dwelling within us He changes us to more and more to reflect His likeness through the fruits of the Spirit, which are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Gal. 5:22-23 Whether God's or mans. "For if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 7:24-30 Jesus Heals a Syro-Phonecian Woman's Daughter

24 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Devotional
Jesus having taught the disciples in Galilee that defilement does not come from the outside; from not observing the commandments of men, which cannot purify the heart and soul from its sins. But rather what we say, for the things we say is often a reflection of the sins within us. Now moves into a region of the Gentiles. Northwestward, roughly fifty miles along the Mediterranean coast to Tyre and Sidon, metropolises and their surrounding regions in what is modern day Lebanon. If you remember early on in Jesus’ ministry many Gentile people having heard of His mighty works had already come to Him from this region, as well as Idumea (ancient Edom) and regions beyond the Jordan (Mark 3:8). Thus early on Jesus had quite an eclectic following, seeing He did not discriminate against anyone based on nationality (John 4:1-42), gender (John 11:5), occupation (Matt. 8:5-13), reputation (Luke 7:36-50), or really anything else (Luke 8:1-3), which made the Pharisees at times very hostile towards Him (Matt. 9:9-13).

So it will be that while Jesus is there, in the land of the Gentiles, in the regions of Tyre and Sidon with the twelve Apostles. That Jesus having entered a house did not want it to be made known, yet it becomes known. In fact the Scripture says He could not be hidden (vs. 24). Now Jesus entered the house of a foreigner, with the twelve Apostles’ in a foreign land. Not a big deal unless you are a Jew living under the Law. Yet this is not the first time Jesus had done something “controversial” like that. For Jesus freely entered the homes of both the Pharisees (the Jewish religious leaders) as well as Tax collectors and sinners (people the religious leaders went to great lengths to avoid coming into contact with), even Samaritans (a neighboring people group whom the Jews shunned), simply at their invitation and without reservation, which is something everyone should take note of, for Jesus Christ will enter the heart of anyone who simply invites Him in. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20

Now the Scripture says that while Jesus was staying in this particular house that a Gentile woman, a Syro-Phoenician by birth meaning this woman had absolutely no claims or means of appeal to God by belonging either to the common wealth of Israel, or even having a share in Israel’s ancestry; as the Samaritan woman at the well did, (see John 4:12), comes to Jesus, and falling at His feet she begins to plead with Jesus to cast a demon out of her daughter. Jesus’ though does not initially respond to her request as is so often the case in the gospel, instead He replies to her request by saying: …“Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” Vs. 27 Now Jesus’ response taken at a glance is startling, some might even say harsh, and is utterly out of character with His dealings with people. Nonetheless His demeanor will immediately change towards her as she exemplifies a truly humble faith with her response to Him, when she says: “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” vs. 28 And with that Jesus says to her …“For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” Vs. 29 And so it was when the woman had returned home she found the demon had gone out of her daughter and she was lying on a bed (vs. 30).

Now what do we make of this? Why was Jesus being rude towards this Syro-Phoenician woman? Are Gentiles really just dogs in His eyes when compared with Israelites? And did He yield to her request just to make her go away? If all one knew of Jesus Christ was from this one passage, one might come to that kind of erroneous and ill considered conclusion. Nonetheless the gospel does not endorse or support such a view of Him and His views of others. For Jesus had already demonstrated a genuine concern for and willingness to heal all kinds of people from this region. And not just this region, but every region He visited, or where people came from seeking Him. Jesus received all who sought Him or He allowed Himself to be received by people from every imaginable culture and walk of life. Even expounding two Gentiles as true people of faith in His first sermon to His hometown in Nazareth, one of which was a widow from this region in the Elijah the prophet’s day; yet Jesus exonerated only her, though there were many widows in Israel in days of Elijah. Similarly Jesus only exonerated Naaman (a leper) and commander of entire Syrian army in the days Elisha the prophet, though there were many lepers in Israel during that time as well (See Luke 4:24-27). His Words than so enraged them that they sought to throw Him off a cliff. Nonetheless Jesus walked away from them unscathed. Therefore though the gospel prophetically was to first come to the Jews, in no way is it partial or limited to them. Simply stated John 3:16 has no boundaries.
***It seems then Jesus was demonstrating the nationalistic pride and exclusivism of His own disciples. To show them (and us) how rude they (and often we) appear in our dealings with people, especially people outside of the covenant community of faith. Make no mistakes about it God’s heart is that no one should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). For God is not partial towards anyone, whether individuals or nations, as God profoundly enlightened the Apostle Peter when the gospel was unwittingly being restricted by the disciples (Read Acts 10); thus Peter went on to declare …“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:34-35

Now regarding Jesus’ visiting with a foreigner consider King David upon whom God has established Jesus’ Everlasting throne had many dealings with foreigners. Even trusting his own parent’s welfare to the King of Moab when King Saul began seeking his life (1 Sam. 22:3-4). Later King David while in exile made many close and deeply loyal friends with people who sadly some would classify as “pagan.” Yet it was these so called “pagans” that King David when he attained to the throne as God decreed appointed them as his own bodyguard. In essence he trusted them with his life (2 Samuel 8:15-18). Later King David would also trust them with his son King Solomon’s life as God’s chosen heir to the throne (1 Kings 1:38-40). For it was these men, the Cherethites and the Pelethites from the Philistine city of Gath and surrounding territory; where Goliath the giant dwelt, whom David slew; and where David briefly dwelt in exile, that David developed a loyal following of valiant men (1 Sam. 27:2-3; 2 Sam. 15:17-18). Now these men remained faithful to him throughout his life. Even when his own two sons, first Absalom, than an unrelated Benjamite named Sheba, than Ammon, Absalom’s younger brother, with the people of Israel rebelled and tried to seize the throne. Yet these non-Israelite men fought for King David even when the odds were overwhelmingly stacked against both him and them (See 2 Samuel 15:13-18; 20:4-7). Now during this time one “pagan” man’s self sacrifice in particular stands out. A commander named Ittai the Gittite; (a nokriy, a foreigner, the same word Ruth the Moabitess used to describe herself when Boaz promised to be her Redeemer; see Ruth 2:10), who having just the previous day fled from his own territory near Gath sought refuge with King David. And so it was when David fled Jerusalem from Absalom’s attempted overthrow of him, Ittai the Gittite though a foreigner and newly arrived will swear loyalty to King David, whether in life or death, even when King David granted him an unconditional release from the upcoming battle (2 Sam. 15:19-22). Later King David will appoint Ittai the Gittite as commander over one third of his forces (2 Sam. 18:22). Now after the battle Ittai the Gittite is never mentioned again in the Scriptures giving rise for some Bible scholars to speculate that he was killed in the ensuing battle with Absalom’s forces (Nelson’s Bible Dictionary). For God’s servants, and those who are loyal to Him often come from many different nationalities, backgrounds and life experiences.

 
Note: This is a draft version

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
*** Though not a direct quote this notion was gleaned entirely from Mark 7:24 in the Thomas Nelson, Inc., Word in Life study Bible [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996. 

Mark 7:1-23 Pharisees, Legalism and Defilement from Within

1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 3 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. 4 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. 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?” 6 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.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 “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.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 “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), 12 “then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 “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. 16 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 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, 19 “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 “All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Devotional
This passage begins by telling us that some of the scribes and Pharisees had come from Jerusalem to Galilee where Jesus was preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God. Previously some scribes had come up from Jerusalem and they mocked Jesus before the people saying He was casting out demons by the ruler of demons which He rebuked before them and all present (Mark 3:20-30). The fact that some more scribes, and now Pharisees have come up from Jerusalem is not a desire on their collective part to seek Jesus as the Christ and King sent from God, but only to test Him and His orthodoxy. Yet as we will see what they ascribe as being orthodox and incumbent upon men and women and what Jesus Christ does are worlds apart. So it will be that as these scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus and they observe some of His disciples eating with unwashed hands that they will find fault with them. Not for a moral transgression, but a ceremonial one, and not even one that broke the Law, but only one that broke one of their elder’s traditions (vs. 3-4). For being right before God in their eyes was often based on ones observance of their petty observances of totally insignificant things like hand washing before eating. Not that those things carry any weight in God’s eyes as we will see, but they made their traditions to carry much weight in their own sight while overlooking their own more serious transgressions as Jesus will explicitly expose. Which is simply the fruit of legalism; the results of man trying to adhere to minute details of the letter (whether Scriptural or not) while passing over the weightier matters of the Law, as Jesus said, like justice, mercy and faith (Matt. 23:22).
In the King James Bible Commentary on verses 3-4 it says in regards to their holding onto their traditions as making one right before God, …"Holding is an intense expression which implies a strong, tight grasp as a hawk would seize its prey, Tradition (Gr. Paradosis) comes from two words which mean “to give alongside of.” Thus, Jewish tradition is men’s statutes set alongside of God’s law, It is not the law, but has been accepted and taught with equal authority." Hence here we have a graphic picture of the Pharisees dogmatically holding onto a non Scriptural ideal and giving it the same weight as if it came through the Scriptures. Nonetheless ceremonial washings or any other teaching or commandment of man can do nothing to cleanse the human heart from sin, only repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ can, for it is Jesus Christ alone and our faith in Him is what makes us right in the sight of God (Rom. 5:1). Now as Jesus responds to the Pharisees confronting Him with questions about His disciples not keeping their traditions (vs. 5). He shows no regard for their traditions, for Jesus responds to them by saying:
“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.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Vs. 6-7
Now Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 29:13, where it is said that the fear of God was taught by the commandment of men. A grave error both then and now. Therefore Jesus is laying down a demarcation line between true worship of God (John 4:23-24) and worship that is according to the doctrines and commandments of men. For those who hold to the latter do so in vain.
Therefore in light of what Jesus says here about in vain worshipping God according to the commandments of men. We must ask ourselves some very poignant questions about our own faith practices. Do we have or are we dogmatically holding onto non-Scriptural traditions (or ideals) by which we think we are approved before God? Personal preferences on non-essential and non-moral things can sadly become entrenched in our faith practices, and thus become points of legalism and sadly contention, because we hold them so dearly. And in time holding onto them, rather than Jesus Christ’s commandments. For Jesus Christ commands brotherly love, without partiality, not as an ideal but as a commandment to be obeyed by all His followers. Yet how often is His commandment thwarted or distorted in the defense of the doctrines, commandments and traditions of men, which may or may not be born out of segments of Scripture, (and may in of themselves be harmless, as the Pharisees hand washing ritual was) but in application take on a totally non-Scriptural significance, and thus are contrary too the Scriptures, since in practice they only supplant the Scriptures, and or thwart the unity of the Spirit, with and for their own ideals. How many churches or brethren have parted company on things like hymnal singing, hair length, military or police service, pacifism, acoustic only instruments, Bible translations, art, or a whole host of other things that when regarded as fundamental to the faith, in practice, only supplant the grace and gospel of God with the legalistic ideals of man, because they are trying to be right in the sight of God by adhering too (or not) those non-essential things (Consider Rom. 10:3-4). Thus the visible church is often divided not based on believers obedience or disobedience to the gospel of God, (which is the only true grounds for separation) but more often than not on the traditions and decrees of men. Who seek to conform the Scriptures to their own ideals, rather being sanctified and conformed to the Scriptures, which alone have authority. And thus finding acceptance in certain segments of Christian dome sadly is governed by whether one accepts and adheres to their traditions and man-made ideals, and not if one has come to put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are seeking to obey Him through the gospel and N.T. writings.
Now from verse eight to thirteen Jesus explains how their elders traditions undermine the commandments of God, there He says “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.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 “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), 12 “then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” vs. 8-13

Now Jesus is citing from the Ten Commandments where God commands that we honor our father and our mother both with giving due respect for their person; but also financially as well. Yet the scribes and Pharisees through their traditions laid aside God’s commandment to do so for their own greed. Essentially they taught the people that whatever financial blessings their parents might have received from them if they had committed that money to God instead (i.e. “corban”) of which the priests under the Law received a portion; than they were released from their moral obligation to finically honor or support their parents in their time of need. Thus through their tradition they made the commandment of God of no effect (vs. 13). Now in the New Covenant believers though not under the Law are still bound by its moral stipulations. For consider what the Apostle Paul says in regards to this; "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Tim. 5:8
Therefore we are to honor God and our parents financially for we do not “tithe” to God and neglect our responsibilities to honor our parents. Or if we have wives and children we provide for them as well, since that is a man’s primary responsibility, to provide for his own. Now Jesus will go on to say something that is very important for us to grasp for at it's heart, is the heart of the problem, the sinful heart of man. Again picking up the text it says: 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 “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. 16 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” vs. 14-16 

Jesus than lays aside all notions of defilement as coming from the non observance of the ceremonial regulations of men. Therefore we are not defiled by what we eat, nor are we made pure by what we don't eat. Neither food nor the cleanliness of the hands that eat it, is the issue. For as Jesus says what defiles us is the things that come out of us, that is what defiles us. For the words that we speak often reflect the desires of our hearts, and thus reveal who we are, whether good or bad (Prov. 27:19; Matt. 12:35). Jesus graphically illuminates that fact when He explains the parable to the disciples when they did not understand. 18 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, 19 “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 “All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Again Jesus is making it clear that what we need is something far greater then mere ritual cleansing of either our hands, foods, or bodies. What we need is washing and renewal by the Holy Spirit which transforms our heart and soul and thus begins to transform our entire person. Yet that is something only God can do in us, which He freely does when we believe in Jesus Christ the Lord (Titus 3:4-7). For that is the issue, the sinful heart of mankind which can only be rectified through the cross of Christ (John 3). That is the whole gospel's emphasis not on the individual changing their lives, but rather on God's glorious Work through the Incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of His Son Jesus Christ in fulfillment of the Scriptures by which He saves and transforms all who believe in Him (John 6:47). For it is through Jesus Christ's Life that God brings revelation of Himself and the Kingdom of Heaven by Jesus' Words and Works by which God is glorified and by which we may come to know Him personally and obey His will through grace and truth (John 1:17). For ceremonially religious practices though having an appearance of religion do nothing for the soul to make atonement for it before God, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission." Heb. 9:22 That is why Jesus Christ the Son of God was crucified to pay the penalty of our sins. Than on the third day Jesus rose from dead which is manifest proof to all of His election before God the Father that He is the One whom God has appointed to be Judge of all things. So that He might be glorified before all and that we might be brought into a relationship with God the Father by our faith in Him. That is how we are justified or declared righteous before God; not by our own obedience to the Law of God, or laws of man, but by our faith in Jesus Christ who then makes us heirs of His Kingdom and the Scriptures Promises. As the Apostle Paul said: “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Gal. 2:21

Therefore neither Jew nor Gentile will be saved apart from the saving grace of God (Jer. 23:4-5; 33:14-16; Eph. 2:8-9). In regards to Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension back to the Father when He did so He made the way for the Holy Spirit's outpouring into people's lives when we believe in Him. That is the transforming power of God that not only regenerates us (i.e. transforms us) but gives us the power to live out the gospel.


Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

KJV Bible Commentary Consulted on Verses 3-4
Jerry Falwell, executive editor; Edward E. Hinson and Michael Kroll Woodrow, general editors, KJV Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1994.