"It's What's on the Inside"- Mark 7:1-23 

The Pharisees were more worried about whether Jesus and the disciples properly washed their hands than they were about sin.  Now it is a good thing to wash your hands but far more important is attention to the moral law of God.  Jesus evens points out that some traditions or rituals we create can mask the actual fulfilling of God's will.  The example Jesus uses here is honoring your father and your mother.  Apparently the Pharisees rather than actually doing this created some saying that they thought let them off the hook.

Then Jesus ponts them to what really matters; it's what's on the inside.  Verses 21 and 22 names sin and it is clear that these defile a person.  They are an evil that can be in our heart and come out in our actions and attitudes.  These make our hands dirty in a way that matters more to God than if we didn't wash our hands before we eat.

Examine this list again and if any of these be in found in you repent and seek not only forgiveness but the cleansing of the heart that Jesus died to offer you and me.  Because Jesus does not just point this out to them to condemn them, but so that they might address them and find forgiveness and cleansing of the heart, so that what comes out of us is healing and love and hope!

Aren't you glad for the saving and sanctifying power of Jesus!