September 3, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Mark Chapter 7
1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;
37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction:
Mark Chapter 7 addresses fundamental questions of purity and impurity within a religious context, highlighting a central aspect of Jesus’ teachings. The confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding traditional commandments underscores the conflict between outward rituals and inner moral purity. At the same time, through His actions and teachings, Jesus reveals the importance of authentic faith, which is concerned less with human-made rules and more with the true intentions of the heart.
Commentary:
In this chapter, we see how Jesus challenges traditional notions of purity by emphasizing that true impurity does not stem from disregarding rituals but from the evil intentions of the heart. The Pharisees and scribes criticize Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating, a ritual deemed necessary according to the tradition of the elders. However, Jesus points out that these traditions are merely human-made and overshadow the true commandment of God. He quotes Isaiah to expose their hypocrisy, as they outwardly appear devout but are inwardly far from God. In His encounter with the Syrophoenician woman, Jesus further demonstrates that faith and humility, even from someone outside the Jewish people, are valuable in God’s eyes. Finally, Jesus demonstrates His power through the healing of a deaf and mute man, showcasing His divine authority to heal people both physically and spiritually.
Summary:
Mark Chapter 7 highlights the tension between external religious practices and the inner purity of the heart. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their emphasis on human traditions that overshadow God’s commandment. He teaches that true impurity comes from within, from the heart of people. Jesus’ healings and encounters with individuals, including non-Jews, illustrate that genuine faith and humility transcend external conditions and rituals.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 59—Priestly Plottings
This chapter is based on John 11:47-54.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction:
Chapter 59 addresses the dramatic events surrounding the resurrection of Lazarus and their immediate impact on Jesus’ life and ministry. This episode, based on John 11:47-54, highlights the growing hostility of the Jewish priests and leaders toward Jesus, culminating in a determined conspiracy to kill him. The chapter illustrates how a miracle that revealed God’s power and grace not only led many hearts to faith but also intensified the hatred and rejection of Jesus by the religious authorities.
Commentary:
The resurrection of Lazarus marks a turning point in the relationship between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. This miracle, which undeniably testified to Jesus’ divine nature, pushed the priests and Pharisees to the brink of their patience. They were no longer merely distrustful or skeptical; they saw their power and influence seriously threatened. Particularly noteworthy is the role of the high priest Caiaphas, whose words—”It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish”—carry a prophetic irony. Caiaphas speaks these words out of political calculation to secure his own position, yet in reality, he unknowingly fulfills the divine prophecy about Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity.
This chapter reveals the tragedy of the blindness in which the religious leaders found themselves. Despite the clear signs and miracles that Jesus performed, they closed themselves off from the truth, seeing him only as a threat to their power and traditions. Their decision to kill Jesus was less a rational choice and more the result of pride, fear, and spiritual blindness. Instead of accepting the light revealed to them in Jesus Christ, they chose the path of darkness, which ultimately led to their own downfall.
Summary:
Chapter 59 describes the immediate reaction of the Jewish priests and leaders to the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. While many witnesses of this miracle were led to faith in Jesus, the priests’ hatred of him grew stronger. Pharisees and Sadducees, who had previously been divided in their stance toward Jesus, now united in their resolve to kill him. The high priest Caiaphas argued that it was better to sacrifice one man to save the nation, unknowingly affirming Jesus’ divine mission. The religious leaders, entangled in their intrigues, rejected Jesus’ divine nature and decided to kill him to secure their own power. However, Jesus, aware of his enemies’ plans, withdrew to avoid hastening the time of his ultimate sacrifice. The chapter concludes with the realization that the world could only endure the presence of its Savior for a short time, despite his life being marked by selfless service and suffering for humanity.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 60—The Law of the New Kingdom
This chapter is based on Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction:
Chapter 60 highlights the deep spiritual lessons that Jesus taught his disciples on the way to Jerusalem, just before he experienced his suffering and death. In this section, Jesus prepares his disciples for the upcoming events and reveals to them the law of his new kingdom, which fundamentally differs from worldly kingdoms. Instead of seeking power and dominion, Jesus calls his followers to humbly serve and sacrifice themselves for others, thereby attaining true greatness in the kingdom of God.
Commentary:
This chapter offers a powerful reflection on the contrasts between worldly notions of power and the spiritual ideal of service in the kingdom of God. Jesus corrects the ambitions of his disciples, who are still influenced by earthly ideas of a messianic kingdom, by revealing to them the true nature of his reign. His response to John and James, who request privileged places in his kingdom, demonstrates that true greatness in the kingdom of God is not achieved through positions or titles, but through self-sacrifice and service to others.
The teachings Jesus imparts in this chapter are radical and challenge the prevailing societal understanding of power and authority. In a world where rank and influence are often exercised through oppression and control, Jesus shows that true authority lies in the willingness to serve others, even at the cost of one’s own life. This teaching not only shapes the disciples but also forms the foundation of Christian ethics, as practiced in the early Christian communities.
Jesus’ words remind us that the pursuit of power and influence in the worldly sense has nothing to do with the nature of his kingdom. Instead, it is humility, service, and sacrifice that matter in the kingdom of God. This is embodied in the life and death of Jesus himself, who paid the ultimate price to redeem humanity.
Summary:
Chapter 60 describes how, on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus prepares his disciples for his impending suffering and the true character of his kingdom. Despite their hopes for earthly power and honor, Jesus teaches them that true greatness in the kingdom of God is achieved through humility, service, and self-sacrifice. John and James, who seek places of honor in his kingdom, are reminded that such positions are not attained through personal ambition but through suffering and bearing the cross. In a world characterized by power and control, Jesus shows that the principles of his kingdom are based on love and selflessness. These teachings not only shape the disciples but also the early Christian community, which is characterized by a spirit of unity and mutual love.
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