Introduction
Memory Text: “ ‘There is nothing that enters a man from outside which defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man’ ” (Mark 7:15, NKJV).
At the
beginning of Mark 7, Jesus stirs up controversy by His rejection of religious
tradition. This rejection however strikingly supports something deeply relevant
to Christian life today and that is the fact that it is better to obey God
rather than men. After this, Jesus goes to Tyre and Sidon and has an encounter
with a woman who shows faith. This encounter with the woman reveals the truth
that however impressive miracles can be, they alone are often not enough to
open hearts to truth. The stories in this week’s lesson contain great lessons about
the meaning and practice of religious life.
What is the two-pronged response in Mark 7:1-13?
The story where the Pharisees ask why Jesus’ disciples about
washing hands is not a story about hygiene. Jesus defends His disciples in a two-pronged
response. First, He quotes Isaiah’s strong words rebuking a nation that honors
God in word but whose heart is far from Him (Isaiah 29:13). The second part of
Jesus’ response plays off Isaiah’s quotation where Jesus cites the command to honor
parents and how the Pharisees make null the command through their traditions.
What lessons are there to be learned from Jesus’ rejection of the
tradition?
Whenever the traditions of men conflict with the commandments
of God we are to rather obey God than men. The placing of human traditions over
the commandments of God is sin.
Does Jesus dismiss all the laws about food?
First, it would be odd for Jesus to dismiss Mosaic instructions
in Mark 7:14-19 when He had just defended Moses against tradition in Mark
7:6-13. Second, the very tradition that the Pharisees were promoting had no
basis in Old Testament teaching, the food laws in contrast do. Thirdly, when Mark
7:19 says that Jesus cleanses all foods, it does not mean that the food laws
are abolished but instead that the tradition of touch contamination that the
Pharisees made was invalid.
What did Jesus say causes contamination of a person?
Contamination of a person is from the heart where all evil
desires come from, anything that enters the body from outside enters the
stomach and is eliminated but the things that come out of a man come from the
heart and is what defiles a man.
How does Jesus defend the Law of God?
Jesus in speaking about contamination referred to breaking the
commandment in the second table of the Decalogue as included in the vice list.
Furthermore, Jesus refers to vain worship and in so doing stands as the defender
of the Law of God throughout the passage.
What two characteristics in His response to the mother of the possessed child
suggest what He is teaching?
Jesus said that the children should be fed “first.” If there
is a “first, it seems logical that there would be a “second.” Second, Jesus
uses a diminutive form of the word, “dog” not meaning puppies but rather in
context, dogs allowed inside the house in contrast to street dogs.
How does the woman respond to Jesus and what is its significance?
The woman picks up on the two characteristics of Jesus’
answer. She said that even the dogs feed from the crumbs that fall from the
master’s table thus indicating that Jesus’s ability to heal her is only a small
matter compared to all the things He can do. By Jesus’ dealings with her, Jesus
showed that she who was regarded as an outcast is now a child and share in the
Father’s gifts (Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 401.
What lessons can be learnt from Jesus’ healing of the deaf and mute in Mark
7:31-37?
Although Jesus can open the ears of the deaf, He cannot force
unbelieving hearts to acknowledge His Messiahship. However, for those who are
feeling tongue-tied, Jesus can open your tongue to be willing to share a ready
word to others and He can open your ears to be sensitive to others’ needs.
Why would the Pharisees who seek a sign still not believe?
The problem goes back to the end of Mark 3, where Jesus speaks
of the sin against the Holy Spirit. If one’s ears are shut and eyes are closed,
another miracle, even a sign from heaven, will not convince. Even miracles are
not enough to convince those determined not to believe.
What does Jesus warn the disciples about in Mark 8:14-21?
Jesus warns His disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees
and Herod (Mark 8:15), meaning their teachings (compare with Matt. 16:12). But
the disciples misunderstand and think Jesus is talking about avoiding buying
literal bread.
What do the questions of Jesus in Mark 8:19, 20 point out?
These questions point out that mere limitation of resources
is no barrier for the Lord’s Messiah. Thus, Jesus was not talking about literal
bread but the teachings of the Pharisees.
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