Heralds Digest

  “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “ All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.7.8-9.nkjv Forbearing the lifestyle of some deviant elements, the general compliance of people to the state COVID-19 protocol and the observance of social distancing have shown that the rate of community spread of defilement can be controlled. And in the days of Jesus among the Pharisees and public elders, personal hygiene was a revered tradition of men and an acceptable public protocol. When the disciples of Jesus were found by these elders violating this protocol, they became offended and queried Jesus’ sense of compliance to the protocol against defilement. Whereas, Jesus’ response challenged the Pharisees against their deliberate promotion of deadly defilement, while enforcing proto...

“So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:18-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.7.18-19.nkjv The sacredness of the heart for undiluted fellowship with God is emphasized in the Master’s response to the disciples. While the Scribes and the Pharisees put the sacred emphasis on what the body consumes, they released their hearts to entertain divers fellowship vice like evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. It is instructive to note that God is equally concerned about the quality of what the body consumes; but a flamboyant body hygiene at the expense of the sacredness of the heart for fellowship with God is condemned. Anyone can afford to shift blame for what come...