6.2 Clean Hands or Clean Heart?
What Really Matters?

Read Mark 7:14–19. What did Jesus mean by the riddle in Mark 7:15?

In Mark 7:14–19, Jesus explains an important principle that reveals deeper insights into the true meaning of purity. His statement that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them, but rather what comes out of them, emphasizes that true purity is a matter of the heart and inner attitude, not just the external observance of rituals or rules.

Here, Jesus does not question the Old Testament dietary laws but directs his criticism toward the Pharisaic traditions that understood purity as something purely external. He makes it clear that real defilement arises from evil thoughts, words, and deeds—things that come from within the heart. In this context, he does not abolish the distinction between clean and unclean foods but stresses that true purity comes from within.

For us, this means that it is not just about what we do or do not do externally, but rather that our hearts are in alignment with God’s will. Clean hands, meaning the outward observance of rules, are not sufficient if our hearts are not pure. Jesus calls us to examine our inner selves and ensure that our thoughts, motives, and actions are shaped by genuine love and obedience to God.

Read Mark 7:20–23. According to Jesus, what makes a person unclean?

In Mark 7:20–23, Jesus emphasizes that true uncleanness does not come from external things like food or ritual purity, but from within a person, from the heart. He makes it clear that evil comes from the heart and manifests in evil thoughts and actions. The list of vices Jesus enumerates includes sinful behaviors that corrupt a person’s heart and character.

Jesus shows that the true source of impurity does not lie in external influences but in the inner corruption of the heart. These internal sins, such as evil thoughts, murder, adultery, greed, and deceit, to name a few, are what truly defile a person and separate them from God.

Through this teaching, Jesus defends God’s law by highlighting the importance of commandments that pertain to both outward behavior and inner attitudes. He urges us not only to focus on the external aspects of our lives but to purify our hearts and keep them free from evil thoughts and motives so that we can live in accordance with God’s commandments. True purity begins in the heart and is reflected in a life that aligns with God’s will.

The connection between Jesus’ teachings in Mark 7:14–23 and our daily lives and faith is profound and practical. They challenge us to focus our daily lives, decisions, and faith on what truly matters: the purity of the heart.

1. Authenticity in the life of faith: Jesus makes it clear that true purity and piety are not achieved through external actions or rituals alone but through what is happening in our hearts. In our daily lives, this means that our faith should not only be a matter of outward appearances—such as attending church services, following rules, or saying the right words. Rather, we should strive to ensure that our inner attitudes, thoughts, and motives align with God’s will. This means regularly questioning ourselves: Are we truly living according to God’s commandments, or are we merely adhering to external forms?

2. Focus on inner purity: In a world that often focuses on outward appearances and material success, Jesus’ teaching reminds us that the true meaning of purity and holiness lies within. This challenges us to examine our thoughts and motives to see if they are guided by love, compassion, and justice. It means that in our daily lives, we should not only care about the “how” but also about the “why”—why we act the way we do, and whether it comes from a pure, God-honoring heart.

3. Overcoming internal sins: The list of internal sins Jesus mentions—evil thoughts, greed, deceit, envy, pride, and more—shows that the greatest dangers to our spiritual purity do not come from outside but from within ourselves. In our daily lives, we are called not only to guard against external temptations but also to confront the inner struggles that can defile our hearts. This means consciously working to recognize and overcome negative thoughts and destructive behavior patterns so that we can live in accordance with God’s commandments.

4. Priority on heart transformation: Jesus calls us to prioritize the transformation of our hearts. In practical everyday life, this means focusing less on how we appear outwardly and more on how we grow inwardly. This can be done through daily reflection, prayer, and seeking God’s guidance to ensure that our hearts remain in a state that honors God and shows love and compassion to others.

Conclusion: These teachings of Jesus challenge us not to be merely outwardly religious but to truly give our hearts to God. True purity and a God-pleasing life begin within, and it is our responsibility to ensure that our hearts, thoughts, and actions are guided by God’s Spirit. In everyday life, we should always ask ourselves: What really matters—the outward appearance or the inner truth? Only with a pure heart can we truly live in accordance with God’s will.

What truly matters is not the outward appearance but the purity of the heart that seeks to align with God’s will.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-6-inside-out-6-2-clean-hands-or-clean-heart-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

August 5, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Matthew Chapter 6

¹ Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

² Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

³ But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

⁴ That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

⁵ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

⁶ But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

⁷ But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

¹⁴ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

¹⁵ But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

¹⁶ Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

¹⁷ But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

¹⁸ That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

²² The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

²³ But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

²⁴ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

²⁵ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

²⁶ Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

²⁷ Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

²⁸ And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

²⁹ And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³⁴ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction:

Matthew Chapter 6, part of the famous Sermon on the Mount, is a profound teaching of Jesus on the true nature of piety. In this chapter, Jesus urges His listeners to live their religious lives authentically, without ostentation. He addresses important topics such as giving alms, prayer, fasting, and the right attitude toward material goods. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of doing everything in secret and for the glory of God, rather than seeking human recognition. These teachings challenge hypocrisy and superficial piety, inviting us to live in a genuine, trusting relationship with God.

Commentary:

In Matthew Chapter 6, Jesus teaches people to perform their religious practices with genuine humility and without the desire for human recognition. In giving alms, praying, and fasting, it is not about public display but about quiet, sincere actions before God, who “sees in secret.” Jesus highlights the importance of the heart’s condition by showing that giving, praying, and fasting are not merely external actions but expressions of a deeper connection with God. Particularly in the “Lord’s Prayer,” the intimate dialogue with God is revealed, where the focus is less on many words and more on the orientation of the heart. Furthermore, Jesus calls His disciples to lay up treasures in heaven and not to be guided by material worries. He demonstrates that true security and fulfillment lie in devotion to God and trust in His care.

Summary:

Matthew Chapter 6 delivers powerful teachings on the correct attitude towards religious practices and material things. Jesus calls for the practice of giving alms, praying, and fasting with sincerity and without seeking human recognition. He emphasizes the importance of a deep, authentic relationship with God, lived in secret and not confined to outward rituals. The call to focus on God’s Kingdom and His righteousness reminds us that true happiness and security are not found in earthly possessions but in devotion to God.

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 52: The Divine Shepherd

This chapter is based on John 10:1-30.

Read online here

 

Commentary

In John 10:1-30, Jesus Christ reveals Himself as the “Good Shepherd,” a metaphor deeply rooted in the culture and hearts of the people of His time. This familiar image of a shepherd lovingly and protectively watching over his flock serves as a powerful parable for the close, personal relationship that Jesus maintains with His believers. He is not just a shepherd, but the Shepherd who is willing to lay down His life for His sheep—an expression of the highest form of love and devotion.

The promise that the Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name highlights the deep personal bond that Jesus has with each individual believer. He knows our worries, our fears, and our struggles. In a world full of uncertainties, the Good Shepherd offers security, guidance, and comfort. Jesus contrasts Himself sharply with the false shepherds of His time, who led the people astray and neglected their responsibility to the flock.

Through the image of the shepherd who goes ahead and leads his sheep to safe pastures, Jesus illustrates that the way to God cannot be reached through human wisdom or religious systems, but only through Him. He is the door to life, and only through Him can we find true fulfillment and peace. This image of the Shepherd who fights for and protects His sheep conveys the deep comfort and security found in following Jesus.

The Good Shepherd not only lays down His life for the sheep but also takes it up again to grant them eternal life. This willingness to sacrifice Himself shows the deep love of Jesus, a love that knows no bounds. It is a love that follows us into our darkest moments, rescues us from lostness, and leads us into fellowship with God.

Jesus’ call to follow His voice is an invitation to a life of abundance—a life characterized by His guidance and care. In Him, we find not only protection and provision but also the assurance that He will never abandon us. This Shepherd, who leads us through life, will ultimately bring us to our eternal home, where we will find complete security and joy in His presence.

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 53: The Last Journey From Galilee

This chapter is based on Luke 9:51-56; Luke 10:1-24.

Read online here

 

Commentary

In Chapter 53 the final journey of Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem is depicted, a journey marked by both internal and external challenges. With the foreknowledge of His impending suffering and death, Jesus altered His approach, deliberately turning toward the cross. Whereas He had previously avoided the attention of the masses, He now openly presented Himself, preparing the people for the impending climax of His earthly mission.

On this last journey through Galilee, Jesus taught intensively, using many parables to convey His message and prepare His disciples for the coming events. Despite the growing hostility from the religious leaders, Jesus remained steadfast in His mission, resolutely setting His face toward Jerusalem, fully aware that His sacrifice was necessary to save humanity.

The people’s reactions to Jesus’ final journey were mixed. While some readily accepted His teachings, others met Him with rejection and hostility. The Samaritans, who did not receive His message, and the cities that ignored His works and teachings, became cautionary examples of the danger of rejecting God’s offer of salvation.

This chapter highlights Jesus’ determination and obedience to the will of His Father, as well as His deep love and care for humanity. It shows us that the path of obedience and devotion is not always easy, but it ultimately leads to the fulfillment of God’s divine plan. The words and actions of Jesus on this final journey remind us that the true treasure lies in heaven and that if we set our hearts on God, we can become part of His eternal kingdom.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/5-08-2024-matthew-chapter-6-believe-his-prophets/