Let’s explore Jesus’s parable The Heart of Man. It speaks to the struggle of sin in the heart of mankind.
Matthew 15:10-14 (KJV)
10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Mark 7:14-16 (KJV)
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Discussion:
Matthew 15:10-14 & Mark 7:14-16
The Law of Man vs. The Law of God
This parable appears to have begun over a dispute about the authority of the law. Firstly, The issues of the law of man versus the law of God. History suggests Jewish religious leaders of the time had written separate books. These books were to interpret the meaning of God’s law from Scripture. However, the guiding principles written by the Holy men had begun to increase in authority. They were beginning to be perceived like it was God’s scripture, when it was mans opinions. This gave them local prestige and power.
The religious leaders had gone so far as to dictate what should and should not be done. And they had exaggerated the scriptures interpretation with such detail that it sometimes changed the original perspective. Historical examples suggest if their traditions conflicted with God’s law they would make an exception. And their interpretations would accommodate their tradition in place of God’s law.
The Heart of Man
Unclean Food
To understand what Jesus was talking about we have to understand the perspective of the time. The people had traditions around consumption of food which set them apart from the unbeliever. Unclean foods were not only a matter of safety but a matter of holiness and obedience. The traditions outlined rituals to determine if the consumption of the food was considered unclean. Eating without following the rituals defiled them according to their Jewish tradition.
Ritual Challenge
The challenge by the Holy men originated over hand washing rituals. These rituals were not being observed by the disciples of Jesus before eating.
Jesus began to teach but his message was rebellious to the established traditions. It infuriated the religious leaders. Conceivably they felt it was in conflict with scripture. Or were perhaps humiliated by his disagreement with them. Expressing their offense to his teaching.
What Defiles Man
Jesus said It was not that which went into ones mouth that defiled man. It was that which came out of his mouth which defiled him. He could be pointing out that the man made traditions do not overshadow the more meaningful considerations. Do not replace the deeper considerations.
Planted By The Father
Jesus declares that every plant his father has not planted should be rooted up. Could he be referring to mans interpretations and exaggerations of the scripture from God?
Blind Lead The Blind
Jesus goes on to state, if the blind lead the blind they will fall in the ditch. Possibly warning us not to follow mans interpretations but to study God’s law. Thereby, avoiding misinterpretations and the potential to stray from the Scriptures true meaning.
Cleansed From Within
Perhaps Jesus was teaching us to look deeper into the meaning of what we are being taught. Is he telling us that the more important cleansing is from the inside? Because our moral cleansing comes from within…
The Hypocrisy
It appears as if Jesus was trying to make the people understand that the Holy men were being hypocrites. They were outraged and insulted that the disciples did not wash their hands before eating. However, did not appear outraged at mans propensity toward impurity of the mind and sin. Man should strive to achieve righteousness and devotion to God. Was Jesus trying to help us understand the concept of cleanliness applied more importantly as a quality of the mind?…The Heart of Man.
Matthew 15:15-20 (KJV)
15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Mark 7:17-23 (KJV)
17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Discussion:
Matthew 15:15-20 & Mark 7:17-23
Danger in Traditions
It does not appear that there is any place in Scripture that dictates the washing of ones hands before eating a meal. So we must conclude that this tradition was due to the Religious leaders again dictating how the scripture was to be interpreted. And once again, incorporating their own beliefs. Because of this relationship between tradition and Scripture there was confusion.
If we are pursuing outward acts of devotion to gain respect or gain the admiration of others this is heading toward spiritual collapse. These traditions do not reflect the true nature of our hearts. Outward devotion is only valid when it is purely in response to God’s will.
Hand Washing is Without Sin
When Jesus went inside his disciple asked him again about the meaning of the parable. And Jesus again tried to clarify that nothing which enters through the mouth can defile a man. It entered and exited the body but did not affect his heart. What he felt and believed.
The washing of hands before a meal is something minor. The omission of it does not create any need for guilt or repentance. It does not violate any of God’s laws so is small by comparison to the much larger issue of sin.
Sin Develops Inside
Jesus further clarified that it is what comes out of man that defiles him. Because it is what is inside him, in his thoughts and feelings where sin develops. And it is when the darkness inside is released to the outside that man is defiled.
The Darkness Within
The darkness in the heart of man is a much larger matter. Jesus lists a number of dark sins in his examples. He makes it clear that it is what man is releasing that defiles him. And there is evil in mans nature that comes forth from the mouth reflecting the evil thoughts in the heart.
Jesus teaches us to be aware of the wickedness in our hearts. Sin comes from desires in the heart of man for things forbidden by the law of God. And to humble ourselves and seek to be cleansed of it. He may be suggesting that we should be focused on devotion to God to guard against the evil nature within…The Heart of Man.
In Conclusion
We can not change what we are from the outside. We can look a certain way or act a certain way in an attempt to be perceived the way we wish. However, who and what we really are resides inside our hearts and God see’s the truth of it. God sees beyond your looks, beyond your actions into the truth inside. You can’t hide the truth from Him.
We are warned that we must strive for an inward pure devotion to God. And strive for the strength to maintain an inward obedience to God’s commandments. Because what is in our hearts comes out of our mouths. Fight to keep selfish desire at a distance and God’s word in The Heart of Man…
For the Love of God,
Sparks
