Mark 7:14-15 (LSB) 14 And after He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man.
Yesterday we discussed Mark 7:5, as Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for elevating their traditions over the commandments of God.
We also used the verses above to point out that it is not what goes into our bodies that defiles us or makes us dirty, but what comes out of our hearts.
Today we want to discuss a different aspect of this truth that Jesus was using to show people that a new covenant was being prepared; a covenant that would change everything they knew and understood.
As Jesus spoke the words above, in verses 14-15, he alluded to the fact that it is not what goes into the body (what is eaten) that makes a person dirty.
Although He was using it to rebuke the religious leaders, there was a deeper meaning that He was implying; that there were no foods that could defile a person.
This was a concept so new to the Jews that it was difficult for them to grasp and accept.
But this was Jesus’ way of slowly ushering them into the New Covenant that was about to be unveiled.
He drove this point home afterward when His disciples questioned Him about what He had said.
Here is what He said to them.
Mark 7:18-19 (LSB) 18 And He said to them, “Are you lacking understanding in this way as well? Do you not perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and goes to the sewer?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.)
The spiritual seasons were changing, and He wanted them to recognize it and understand it because it was a major part of why He came; to set humanity free from the traditions of men and bring true freedom in the Spirit.
This was sealed in Christ’s blood, as evidenced here, as He breathed His last breath and surrendered up His spirit:
Mark 15:37-39 (LSB) 37 And Jesus, uttering a loud cry, breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
That tearing of the veil was a tangible representation of a spiritual change in seasons; one that would forever alter the path of humanity and usher us into the age of God’s grace; the New Covenant 🙏
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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