The
storm is raging: ‘they were making headway painfully, for the wind was
against them’ (Mark 6:48). Jesus draws near, and there is peace: ‘the
wind ceased’ (Mark 6:51). Another ‘storm’ continues to rage: ‘Why do
your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders...?’
(Mark 7:5). How did Jesus respond to this ‘storm’ of criticism? - He
exposed the hypocrisy of those who made the tradition of men more
important than the Word of God (Mark 7:7-9,13). He invited ‘the people’
to come ‘to Him’, to ‘hear’, to ‘understand’. His Word was addressed to
‘all’ of them (Mark 7:14). Jesus emphasizes this point: ‘man looks on
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart’ (1 Samuel
16:7). The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Which will it
be? - ‘Their hearts were hardened’ (Mark 7:52) or ‘Loving the Lord your
God with all your heart’ (Mark 12:30).
God's Word is "a lamp to our feet and a light to our path." He has "wondrous things" to teach us as we pray "Open my eyes that I may see" (Psalm 119:105, 18, 11). "May God's blessing surround you each day, as you trust Him and walk in His way. May His presence within guard and keep you from sin, go in peace, go in joy, go in love." "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your Name give glory, because of Your mercy and Your truth" (Psalm 115:1).
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