The penalty for violating this command is death (Leviticus 20:9). The requirement to honor parents is clearly stated in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:12 Deuteronomy 5:16). Rather than respond to the Pharisees’ question, Jesus pointed out the broader, basic issue: God’s command is more important than your traditions. Foster explained, “This was not sanitation it was ceremony.” However, the tradition of the elders called for additional washings. The law itself called for ritual washings on certain occasions (see Mark 7:3, 4). The tradition of the elders included the oral interpretations of the Old Testament which famous teachers had made. The specific scriptural rules for washings are found in Exodus 30:17-21 and Leviticus 15:11. Their criticism was based not on the violation of a specific Old Testament verse, but on their interpretation of what a given passage actually meant. They had observed that the disciples of Jesus did not follow the tradition of the elders. When the Pharisees (literally “the separated ones”) came to Jesus, they had their attack planned. Most of the common people felt, “Whatever they say must be right!” Jesus had clashed with these members of the religious elite before (see Matthew 12:14). They held to a strict interpretation and application of God’s law. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were very influential to the Jews in all religious matters. This demonstrates clearly that they regarded him as a threat to their position and influence with the people. Amen.While Jesus was teaching in Galilee some 50 miles away from them, the religious leaders in Jerusalem sent a delegation to question him. All praise be to you, because by your grace I will one day see your face. You have rescued me from the depths of death.Īll praise be to you, O God, because you purify me. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I ask you, Lord, to purify me and to create in me a clean heart. Thus, with David in Psalm 51, I confess that I have done what is evil in your sight. How often have I known what's right, but chosen otherwise! My desire for you and your holiness is compromised by an opposite desire for that which dishonors you. Thus when I hear this promise about those with pure hearts seeing you, I yearn for such a heart.īut I must acknowledge to you the impurity of my heart. PRAYER: Gracious God, how I yearn to see you, to know you more fully, to understand you, and to experience you in new ways. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What is the state of your heart today? Are you aware of impurity within? Is there consistency between your heart and your actions? By God's grace, our hearts will be pure so that we might one day see God face to face. Īnd put a new and right spirit within me.Īs we ask for purification, we share in the confidence of the Psalmist that when God washes us, we will be "whiter than snow" (Ps. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean. Thus, our desire for a pure heart leads us to confession and supplication, echoing the words of the Psalms:Īgainst you, and you alone, have I sinned Sin continues to haunt us after we have given our lives to Christ. We seek our own selfish interest even as we serve the Lord. When we look honestly at our hearts, however, we can't deny our own lack of purity. Notice that the one who is able to stand in God's presence has pure hands and hearts, right actions and intentions. Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, Jesus' promise that the pure in heart will see God echoes Psalm 24:3-4: Those who are pure in heart will do what is right, not just as a show, but rather as an expression of inner being. Their integrity will be, not just inner wholeheartedness, but also consistency between inside and outside, between heart and action. Moreover, those who honor God with their whole hearts will also live out their inner purity in their daily lives. It entails singlemindedness in devotion to God. "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God."įrom a biblical point of view, a pure heart is a heart of integrity. Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Work.Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership.Evangelism - Sharing the Gospel at Work.10 Key Points About Work in the Bible Every Christian Should Know.
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