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Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem accused Jesus’s disciples of breaking the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating (vv. 1–2). Jesus responded by showing how their traditions broke God’s commands, using the example of neglecting parents under the excuse of a vow (vv. 3–6; Ex. 20:12). Quoting Isaiah, He called them hypocrites who honor God with lips while their hearts are far from Him (vv. 7–9; Isa. 29:13). He then taught that it is not what goes into the mouth but what comes out that defiles a person—evil words and actions flow from the heart (vv. 10–20; Mark 7:20–23). Spiritual purity comes from the inside out, not from man-made rituals.
Jesus then traveled to Tyre and Sidon, where a Canaanite woman begged Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter (vv. 21–22). At first, He said He was sent only to Israel (v. 24; Matt. 10:6), but her humble, persistent faith moved Him to grant her request (vv. 25–28; Gen. 12:3). Back near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus healed the lame, blind, crippled, and mute, leading the crowd to glorify the God of Israel (vv. 29–31). After three days with no food, He fed over four thousand men plus women and children with seven loaves and a few fish, leaving seven baskets of leftovers—a sign of His compassion and abundant provision for all people, Jew and Gentile alike (vv. 32–39; cf. Matt. 14:13–21).
🌀 Reflection: Do your words and actions reflect a heart that loves God, or do they reveal something else? Ask the Lord to purify your heart so that your life overflows with what pleases Him.
💬 Mission Challenge: Speak words of encouragement to someone today. Let them be life-giving and show the difference Jesus makes in your heart.
Just Keith Harris 
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