Mark 7 reminds me of an interrogation technique called Minimal Interruption. The questioner uses one or two words to encourage the suspect to continue speaking. Inevitably, when someone is lying, the more they speak, the more likely they are to contradict themselves. Our beliefs are revealed in our words or actions. Some of the Jewish leaders came from Jerusalem to observe the followers of Christ. While on their stakeout, they noticed the disciples did not follow the ceremonial hand washing before eating. They asked Jesus, “Why don’t Your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” Jesus quoted from the prophet Isaiah rebuking the proud religious leaders of his day, “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me”. Many of us know the right religious words to use, but sometimes our words do not match up with our actions. Jesus continued by pointing out the common crime of the religious, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions”. In an effort to appear more pious, we create our own set of rules to measure worthiness. Jesus taught to worry less about what we eat, because, “it is what comes out of a person that defiles them”. He offered a long list of rotten behaviors, noting that all begin with the attitude in our heart. “All these evils come from inside and defile a person”. Friend, do you carry a badge of pride?
Next we are shown a spiritual mugshot of those that believe they are more spiritually deserving. These are the folks that are very good at finding the faults in others. Jesus entered a house and was approached by a woman described as “a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia”. The easiest way to describe her was not only a gentile, but as un-Kosher as you can get. Ethnically, spiritually and geographically she looked guilty to most there. She fell at Jesus’ feet and “begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter”. Jesus made a statement and then listened to her answer. He said, “it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs”. The woman responded with humility, “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs”. She did not trust in her own worthiness, she trusted in God’s mercy. He said simply, “you may go; the demon has left your daughter”. Do you have enough faith to ask Him for help?
The chapter closes with yet another example of healing. In this case, “some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him”. The deaf man could not hear the words of Jesus, but his friends could, and they took action. Jesus took the man aside, away from the crowd. I believe Jesus communicated directly with the man before healing him. Friends can bring us to the Cross, but we each have to personally respond. Next we read of a new healing process. Somewhere out there is probably a finger-spitting-tongue-grabbing-church, but I think the reason for the diversity of healing was so that we do not try to make it into a formula. Every single healing is unique and begins with an act of faith and is completed by the Holy Spirit of God. “The man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly”. I wonder what this man spoke about after that. How many of us talk about our life before we heard the words of salvation? The people were amazed, “He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak”. I will add that I am a sinner, saved by God’s grace. My prayer is that my words and actions testify of His healing and offer a new hope to anyone that wants to listen. If you are not perfect, then you need a Savior.