Looking Good While Doing Bad (Mark 7:1-23)

Pastor Bob and Janet
Sep 12, 2019
4 min read

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, spent his entire adult life ministering to

the poor, homeless, and destitute of England. Today, the Salvation Army, 1.6 million members, serves about 130 million people in 109 countries. Booth warned people about the dangers of tradition and false teaching creeping into the church of Jesus Christ, "I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost; Christianity without Christ; forgiveness without repentance; salvation without regeneration; politics without God; and Heaven without Hell." The church today has not heeded this warning, and it is in danger of becoming a hollow and empty vessel. Many congregations are hearing a false gospel that is devoid of truth and an absent of the Holy Spirit.

The influence of apostate religions have influenced those who claim to be followers of Christ. A recent Barna report reveals that only 17% of adults have a Christian worldview. Our world has become so secular, the Bible has little influence anymore. For example, Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, was recently attacked for supporting the national Bring Your Bible to School Day. What a long way from God we have strayed! Sadly, people who claim to be Christians are content to spend one hour a week at church, and do nothing to influence the world around them. In this passage, Jesus confronts the Jews about the same problem.

I. The Downside of Tradition (vv. 1-8)

From God's Ten Commandments, the Jews had formulated over 600 laws! These laws were formulated by the religious leaders, and they had nothing to do with being holy and righteous. One day, some Pharisees complained to Jesus that His disciples were eating without washing their hands ceremonially, and therefore, they were not holding to tradition. Jesus' reply pointed out the ingrained legalism of the Pharisees. He told them that they set aside God's commandments in order to maintain their own tradition. He told them that they nullify the Word of God by the traditions they have handed down. Jesus told them that their hearts are far from Him, and they worship in vain.

The Pharisees mad the wrong choice. They chose man's tradition over God. Matthew 7 lays out the choice that every person must make, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Our practices either weaken or strengthen our faith. It is a daily battle to push back against culture and choose God.

II. The Drift into Legalism (vv. 9-13)

Legalism puts moral law above the gospel of grace. Legalism chokes the freedom God offers through faith in Jesus. Sin binds people, so they are slaves to sin. Jesus came to set people free from the slavery of sin. Christ dying on the cross, and God raising Him from the dead is the only acts for salvation that are needed. Tradition tells people that there is something more needed for salvation. "Christ died for sins once, for all" (1 Peter 3:18). Nothing more is needed.

III. The Danger of Evil (vv. 14-23)

Jesus dropped a bombshell on the religious Pharisees when He told them that their dietary laws were of no importance. He told them that all foods are clean, and food will defile because it does not enter the heart. Evil originates in the heart. If someone does evil, then his heart is evil. People are saved when there is a heart change. A change of heart and life is is possible when one repents, obeys, and follows Christ. Good originates in a changed heart and is manifested in life.

God's heart is pure and uncomplicated. His heart is for people, It is His desire for all people to be saved. That is why the gospel is uncomplicated. Imagine trying to follow 600 rules. The gospel is simple: People are sinners by nature and action.Sin separates them from a holy God. God loves people, so He sent His sinless Son, Jesus, to die for sins. On the cross, all sin was placed on Him. When someone trusts and believes, they are made right with God, just as if they had never sinned. When they die, they will live in heaven for eternity.

The Pharisees were so far from God because they followed tradition instead of God Himself. They looked good while doing bad. A lot of American Christians look good on the outside, but their hearts are far from God. Instead of looking good while doing bad, let's concentrate on looking good and doing good. Make God your first priority. Put people above everything else. The Pharisees loved to try and trap Jesus. One asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" Jesus answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND." He said the second is like it, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Matthew 22:37-40). Then, He added, "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Love God; love people. Simple.