Then Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand! It is not what goes into your mouth that makes you ritually unclean; rather, what comes out of it makes you unclean.
As in so many of his discourses, Jesus is teaching that the state of the heart is more important to God than outward appearances. Among his listeners are Pharisees who are complaining that Jesus lets his disciples eat with unwashed hands.
As in the preceding passages, this passage warns against the detestable practice of enticing God’s people to worship other gods. Hidden within this passage, however, is an additional cautionary note: If you hear it said…then you shall inquire and make a thorough investigation. In other words, if you have not witnessed the detestable behavior yourself, then don’t jump the gun and rush to judgment. First check it out and make certain the accusation is valid.
Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
The Lord’s word through his prophet Hosea was a promise of forgiveness and restoration to his rebellious people Israel. Their sin caused them to suffer, but after two days God would revive them as if from death to a new life lived in his presence. As Christians we recognize this “third day resurrection.”
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. It has been said that if you truly believe this very first sentence in Genesis, then you will have no trouble believing the rest of the Bible.
Furthermore, if you believe with all your mind and heart that God is good, faithful, and just, then it will be easier for you to relinquish control over your circumstances. This truth is especially important when you are dealing with a frustrating, hurtful, or destructive relationship
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Is there a relationship in your life that you would describe as a “thorn”? Perhaps you work with a person who makes your job miserable, or a family member repeatedly breaks your heart.
