Mark 7:1-23  This scene brings the Pharisees and scribes out of Jerusalem to observe Jesus and His disciples. They must have been watching for something to accuse Jesus of.. and chose to pick on the disciples for not observing the Jewish tradition of washing their hands before eating.  The Jews were very strict about the way things should be done.. they had to cleanse themselves, their cups, their pitchers, and their copper pots in a specific way.  It was not according to the Law, but according to the "tradition of the elders". 

Jesus did not address the disciples but judged the Pharisees and scribes: " Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.'  But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrine the precepts of men, Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."

Jesus gives them an example to point out their sinfulness.. They knew the commandment to "honor your father and your mother..."  But, they ignored it by devising a way to keep what should have helped their parents.. saying it belonged to God.  Jesus said that they were "invalidating the word of God" by their manmade traditions.  This was just one example. 

Jesus did not want the people to be led into traditions .. but into Truth. "Listen to Me, all of you, and understand.." He explained that it is not what we eat or don't eat that makes us impure. We eat.. the food travels through our digestive systems and the waste is eliminated. Period,

"That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man."  The heart is the problem within mankind. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." 

Instead of examining the outside of a man.. whether he washed his hands or cleansed his cup to your liking.. Jesus says.. take a look at your own heart.  Is your heart far from God? Is your worship of God only lip-service?  Are you holding on to traditions or to the Word of God? Have you taken inventory of what is in your heart and what is coming out of you?

Father, Holy God and Lord, with trembling we come before You and ask.. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." (Psalm 139:23-24)  Cleanse my heart so that I can live in purity and truth and meaningful worship.. to honor Your Name.  I ask this in the Name of Jesus, who has washed me by His blood..so that I can draw near to Your Heart. Amen.