Day 11 | The Inside Matters
Matthew 15:10-20
And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”
And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Words: Jo Bickerton Read: 0 - 5 mins Published: 11 March 2024
This Easter, this passage is speaking to me about two things: the fruitlessness of anything not initiated by the Lord; and His kindness toward me, in that I really only need to give energy to one activity – guarding my heart.
These verses remind me that the Lord is mighty to save, and powerful to effectively remove anything that is not of Him (and therefore not helpful for wholeness) including Jesus colourful example, the waste removal system within our own human mechanics!
He isn’t taking inventory of our wrongdoings but searching our hearts for places to cleanse and heal.
My job is to fling wide the gates of my heart and say, “Have at it, Lord! Weed out anything that doesn’t bring Your love into the world, and while you’re at it, leave the Sprinkler on until I am overflowing with you”.
He is more than faithful to fulfil His promise to restore my garden and bring forth abundant life-giving fruit!
Thank you, Jesus, for making a way for us to stand before our Father without fear or shame, fully known and fully loved. Thank you for sending Holy Spirit to keep renewing our hearts and minds until we see You face to face. Help us, Lord, to guard our inner environment well, to cultivate a space where Holy Spirit is happy and active for us and the world around us. Amen