Opening Question
Does Jesus care what we eat?
Introduction
One of the more challenging passages in Mark’s gospel is chapter 7’s discussion about unclean hands and foods. But perhaps we ask the wrong questions when we read it. This
Mark 7:1-23
Read through this passage, maybe a couple times. As you do, ask yourself what is the main issue raised and what is Jesus’ response to it? Without question, Jesus is addressing food, ritual purity and the tradition of the elders. The Jews in Jesus’ day believed that touching food in the market touched by gentiles would defile them spiritually, and especially so if they ate food with ritual impurity.
How does Jesus answer to the Pharisees specifically address their concern about “unwashed hands”? From where does true spiritual impurity originate, according to Jesus? In what way does Jesus “declare all foods clean” within the context of ritual hand-washing? Does Jesus do away with Levitical distinctions between clean and unclean animals here, or is there something else at issue?
Mark 7:24-30
In today’s modern culture, this story makes Jesus guilty of racism. He utters an epithet at a foreigner’s expense. But unlike today’s culture, the woman refuses to take offense. Rather, she even accepts Jesus’ supposed critique. She is willing to be called a “little dog” if it will lead to a few scraps from God’s table. She has no intention of keeping anything good from the Jews (the children).
What commendation does Jesus give this woman and how is she both a rebuke to and example for the disciples? How is she an example for us today?
Mark 7:31-37
Jesus heals a deaf/mute man, and the people are amazed. We again see touch, this time with the “healing properties” of human saliva applied, anointing the man’s tongue. Once again, the Messianic Secret makes a cameo.
Have you ever seen the videos on YouTube of people having cochlear implants installed and turned on? When they hear family member’s voices for the first time, they often burst into tears. What do you imagine this man did after being healed?
Mark 8:1-10
Another feeding story, this time in the region of the Decapolis. The audience is likely not mainly Jewish. The leftover baskets of food are only 7-fold this time, but the number seems significant since it is counted.
Some skeptical scholars contend that Mark is trying to fill space and is merely confused telling the same story of the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 again. Certainly, there are similarities, but what in the context here suggests this one is likely different?
Mark 8:11-21
Embedded in this section is another boat-story and misunderstanding of the disciples. This time, Jesus warns them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. Just as leaven represents sin and the bread made with it (Jesus said, “I am the bread of heaven”), so the disciples were to avoid the errors and the “sins” contained in their empty philosophy and motivations. The pure word of the Kingdom was to be their “bread”
Closing Comments
Jesus makes his way across the lake and back several times, and each time, the disciples learn more about Jesus, the Kingdom, and the messages they are to take to the world when Jesus is gone.
