SIN ARISES FROM WITHIN

Mark 7:14-23 Though they would probably not admit it if you asked them, most people are followers and not leaders. The first day in child care they might play happily with the same few toys, but as the group grows larger they begin to want, or even demand the toys that another is playing with. A few years later, as teen-agers they begin to want and even demand that their parents provide them with the type of clothing others are wearing, they want the same computers and computer games, or a car like someone, (they will say everyone) has. As soon as they are on their own, they will want adult toys and these become really expensive finer homes, in richer communities, swimming pools, flashy cars, boats, travel. They want to lead the pack. Call it what you may, they want to be leaders, but for there to be leaders, there have to be followers. No one wants to be a follower.

In contrast Jesus, the Son of God, who made everything from a single atom to the universe, became the sacrificial lamb, that our sins might be saved. John 1:2,3, “The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”

Are not Jesus’ accusations of the Pharisees and scribes, who were being addressed and described as hypocrites, not also true of many who have the same sinful habits today? Their basic problem was that, while they knew the scriptures, they placed more importance on their own traditions than the Word of God? Their hearts were polluted, therefore, their teachings were also corrupt. Jesus compared the church to a flock of sheep, with a shepherd to lead them. When the flock of the church follows a shepherd who does not teach the word. He is at fault because he does not teach the truth of the Word, and they are at fault because they base their beliefs and actions in response to what he has said and do not confirm them with the Word. Jesus’ final command would be, “teaching them to observe all things Whatsoever I have commanded you.” He was teaching them then what they must pass along to others and eventually to us. The shepherd led the flock. Did you ever try to drive a flock of sheep? We soon learned, when we drove in open range in Africa, a herd of sheep may be grazing peaceably beside the road, but if anything, perhaps a goat, makes a dash for the other side in front of the car, every last one of the sheep will follow.

 Mark 7:6-8 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.

 (Isaiah 29:13)

 Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, but are they really so unusual? Isaiah called them hypocrites, that is, they pretended to be what they really were not. What they said, and told the people they were teaching to do, was not what they did themselves. Their hearts were unclean. Really, they were like that beautiful tea pot that we may use several times without actually putting it in the dishwasher in order not to damage the outside decorations. The inside quickly becomes stained and discolored.

 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 (Isaiah 29:13)

 They went for their message to the wrong sources. We were once invited as a special outing to accompany friends to a meal in a restaurant followed by the film, “Moses, Prince of Egypt.” The plot was Hollywood loosely related to the Biblical reality, acceptable if you kept in mind that the Biblical account is truth while the film is mostly fiction based on a historical truth. But, as a production, it was probably the most beautifully drawn, production I have ever seen.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other like such things ye do.

 (Mark 7:3, Mark 7:5, Mark 7:9, Mark 7:13, Galatians 1:14)

 The Pharisees were careful, to the extreme, in observing the letter of the laws they had placed around those of God, but not so careful of the original laws. South Africa actually has three capitals, They are far apart. The actual capital buildings are in Pretoria, the Courts in Bloemfontein, and the Parlament meets in Cape Town. Friends of ours rented a furnished apartment from a Jewish member of Parlament during the time he was away in Cape Town. I remember when they moved in that they were horrified with the condition of the kitchen in this luxury building and she emptied every cupboard and had a thorough cleaning before she could entertain, Her husband was a vice President of a major oil firm sent there to seek oil sites, probably off shore. Since he had to entertain all sorts of guests in his work, the company said they would pay for them to rent the best and provide a car since they did not know just how long they would be there. There was a meat and bread slicer in the kitchen and they were told not to worry, but that this would be destroyed after they left as they may have sliced something that was not kosher. The same would be true of the pots and pans as well.

 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

 (Mark 7:3, Mark 7:5, Mark 7:8, Mark 7:13, Galatians 1:14)

 This is exactly why there are so many denominations and cults today, all of whom claim to be teaching the word of God. The Pharisees had their traditions; the cults also have their traditions which they emphasize more than the Bible. And, every denomination has its own creeds and traditions that they are more careful to observe than the Bible itself. The Bible speaks of only one church that which was established at Pentecost and which has continued to search and keep those things commanded of the Lord,

 Mark 7:14-23 14

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. We reveal who we are by what we do and say, not by what we eat and drink.

 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.

 (Mark 2:1, Mark 3:20, Mark 9:28, Mark 15:15)

 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

 (Romans 14:1-12, Colossians 2:16, Luke 11:41, Acts 10:15, Acts 11:9,)

 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

 (Matthew 15:18, Mark 7:23)

 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:

 (Matthew 6:23, Matthew 20:15)

 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

 (Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 11:21, Mark 7:31)

 The end result is sin, a few of which he enumerates in verses 21 and 22. These all arise in the heart where they are planned before they mature in action.

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