Discovery Journal

Guest Blogger JoAnne B. - February 28, 2011

Scripture:

Matthew 7:14-19 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean'." After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, he declared all foods "clean.")

Observation:

This is a chapter where Jesus is addressing the "laws and rules" about "clean" and "unclean" that the Jews were used to following. They were very strict about ceremonial washing, and in this chapter the Pharisees have questioned Jesus on why His disciples don't follow the same traditions.

Application:

This chapter makes me think about habits, and how sometimes bad habits can be passed down through the generations. The traditions of the ceremonial washing were probably passed down from generation to generation, and it was all the Jews knew as the right thing to do. However, Jesus is shaking up their traditions in this chapter and making them think about the true meaning of what is "clean." I think in my own life, sometimes I can get caught up in some of the little day to day things and forget about the big picture. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter that much if my house is spotless, if I got all my errands done, or if dinner turned out perfect. What matters is how did I treat my husband, what kind of an example was I to my daughter, and what kind of a friend am I to those around me? These are hard questions I need to ask myself every day. And thankfully, God's mercies are new every morning!

Prayer:

Lord, I ask that You will shine a light on my heart. Show me the places where I may need to change. I want to be that light for You in every area of my life. And I know that my actions are going to reflect my heart. I just ask that You will open my ears to hear the calling of the Holy Spirit every day, especially in those moments when my patience runs thin or I am tempted to say something that I shouldn't. Forgive me for the times even this past week that I put the little things above the big picture. I know You want greater things for me, and I want to live up to that potential. Teach me to have Your loving attitude. Thank You, God, that Your mercies are new every morning!