Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's Word with you, so let's get started.

Hey, good morning. Let's look at some of the beautiful content from Mark chapter 7. The Pharisees show up

making accusations against Jesus disciples for not properly washing their hands. Jesus quickly

confronts them about enforcing their traditions on others, while at the same time neglecting

actual commandments. Jesus then explains to his disciples that these accusations are

matters of the heart. If the intentions of the heart are selfish, prideful, and bitter,

then it will show up in a merciless view and application of God's law. Following the educated

Pharisees' sinfulness, we are introduced to a Gentile woman who pleads for Jesus help to cure

her demon-possessed daughter. She begs for his help, and he rewards her faith. Jesus also heals a

deaf man. The leaders who know the law are condemned, and those who do not know it well, but have

humble hearts, are blessed. Here are some things this chapter

is trying to teach us. The contrast between the characters in this chapter is potent. It opens with

the Jewish leaders accusing, being unkind, and enforcing their own rules. They neglected important

laws of mercy, like caring for their parents.

In comparison, the Gentile woman is utterly humble before the Lord so that she can save her daughter.

She is entirely motivated by love and unrelenting in her pursuit of Jesus.

We must be constantly checking our hearts, especially as we grow in knowledge.

We will never be any more worthy than the Gentile woman or the deaf man. We must approach Jesus for help and be willing to carry his spirit of

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