Cleanliness and Godliness

Mark 7:1-7

The successful 1970's television sit-com M*A*S*H earned a reputation for  turning light-hearted humor on its head with a poignant conclusion.  In one such episode a charismatic visiting surgeon wins the hearts of most of the regulars until he bails out during an intense round of surgery.  They find him in the chaplain's tent curled up on the floor trying to wipe imaginary blood off his hands.  The horrors of human bodies disfigured by war had taken its toll on him. He could say little more than, "I cant get it off."


Jesus enters a Jewish world that has been washing its hands for so long they have forgotten that the blood stains on them are from the bodies of the prophets God had sent to their forefathers.  They thought they were rinsing off Gentile impurities and preventing the spread of unclean contaminants. They felt righteous as servants poured water over their fingers.  Feeling righteous and living righteously are a rare combination.


Jesus redirects the examination away from the dirt on our hands to the distance of our hearts from God.  Scrubbing under our nails doesn't equal drawing near to God. We can actually avoid approaching God by doing righteous acts like washing hands. 


What contemporary "righteous acts" might we substitute for drawing near to God?  More importantly, in what real ways can we bring our hearts to him?

Tell us about your hopes & goals for 40 Days 'Till Easter.

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