Marcos 7

Marcos 7

Lenski comments that to honor reflects "the form love assumes towards those who are placed above us by God." All uses of timao in Mark - Mk. 7:6; Mk. 7:10; Mk. 10:19 BUT - Term of contrast. A "but" usually "changes direction," and in this case the meaning is clear from the context. There is a huge void between their verbal profession and their heart condition! Their concern was ritual, not relationship! THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME - Jesus goes on to explain in part why their heart is far away from God, and it is because they hold the precepts of mortal men to be equivalent to the sound doctrine of the eternal God! Notice Jesus' association of lips with heart, a relationship He will explain in more detail in His parabolic saying in Mk 7:14-23. Far is porro which means a great way off, at a distance. The verb "is...away from" is apecho (apo = “off from + echō = to have or hold, thus literally = “to hold off from") which in this context speaks of continual (present tense) separation in space or distance from a person, in this case from the Person of God. Note also that apecho is in the active voice which means this their volitional choice, the continual choice of their will! They are far off because they want to be! Woe! That is a frightening thought! THOUGHT - Ponder that frightening statement "their heart is far away from" God! This was their practice in time but one day would be their punishment in eternity, when their "heart" would forever be far away from God. Paul alludes to this great gulf which will one day separate them from His holy presence writing that God will deal "out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed–for our testimony to you was believed." (2 Th 1:8-10) Dear reader, do you know God? Is your heart near to Him? Then praise God. But if you do not know Him by grace through faith in Jesus (Eph 2:8-9+), your heart is far from Him today and will remain that way throughout eternity! Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Acts 16:31+). Jones writes their “Religion had been smothered beneath ritual. Washing the hands counted for more than the devotion of the heart. They were careful of petty rules, and careless of the great commands of God.” David Guzik starts "meddling" asking -- Would God say something similar to us? They attend church, but their heart is far from Me. They read their Bible, but their heart is far from Me. They pray eloquently, but their heart is far from Me. They contribute money, but their heart is far from Me. They do ministry, but their heart is far from Me. They love to sing, but their heart is far from Me. They talk to others about Jesus, but their heart is far from Me. Brian Bill - Here are some things we can learn from Jesus’ response using Scripture.... 1. Always go to Scripture and apply it to life today. One of the things I admire about Billy Graham is how frequently he uses this phrase when he preaches: “The Bible says…” Here Jesus takes Isaiah and applies it directly to those playing spiritual charades. 2. Resist adding or subtracting from Scripture. Revelation 22:18: “ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.” 3. It’s easy to say or sing something and not really mean it. Our lives don’t always match what comes across our lips. 4. Scripture must always take supremacy over tradition. Several well-known groups like Catholics, Mormons and Muslims put tradition on an equal or higher level than Scripture. We have to watch ourselves as well because we don’t want to let our preferences or traditions have more weight than God’s Word. (Sermon) J C