Mark 7

“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (8). When Pharisees complained that Jesus and his disciplesignored the religious ritual of hand-washing, Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy. They encouraged people to neglect their own parents and instead give to the Temple (9-13), in effect breaking God’s command. But they ignored the real danger: “evil thoughts” that come from the heart and produce “sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (21-22).

The Pharisees said all the correct things, but Jesus warned “their hearts are far from me” (7). Real obedience begins with allowing him to transform our inmost thoughts, affections, and loyalties.