Always Ready: Mark 7:14-15

There is always an opportunity to impact the world around us.  Sometimes this is easy.  Places like church and bible studies are full of people whose lives are primed to be impacted for Christ.  People who find their way into religious gatherings have already taken the first step of curiosity which makes them open to growth and new understanding.  Other times the work is difficult.  The world is often content with life – or at the very least used to familiar routines.  These times are difficult because the people need to be brought to the first step, being open to God in the first place.

Notice what Jesus does after dealing with the Pharisees.  Jesus calls in the crowd.  He sees a great opportunity to teach the crowds in the presence of the religious elite and see what happens.

Look at how Jesus teaches the crowds.  He isn’t using a specific example.  Jesus is teaching very generically about defilement.  Jesus is back to the parable approach.  Jesus talks to the crowd; Jesus gives them an opportunity to ingest the teaching and ask questions.  Jesus is looking for disciples even after the religious elite came after Him about how He is training the disciples He has.

It is important to be careful here.  Mark doesn’t tell us about Jesus’ motivation.  It is easy to read these passages and think that Jesus is angry at the Pharisees and going after them.  That is certainly possible.  It is also just as possible that Jesus knows there might be people in the crowd or among the Pharisees who internally agree with His thoughts about Corban and who are open to hearing His teaching.

This gives us a great point-within-a-point to study.  Jesus is always on the hunt for more disciples.  He is always looking for people who want to ask questions and grow closer to God.  Even in situations where it would be easy to get angry and defensive, Jesus is still looking for disciples.

There is a huge amount of challenge in this passage.  Humans have a very instinctive fight or flight reaction to challenge.  When someone gets personal – either physically or verbally – it is easy for us to lash back or go away.  While those may be appropriate at the proper times, Jesus shows us there is a third reaction.  When the situation is right, instead of fight or flight we can choose to continue to do God’s work.  Instead of getting angry and lashing out, instead of getting defensive and throwing up shields or walking away, we can stand our ground and continue to look for those who are looking for God.

This approach is not a natural one.  We can only follow the example that Jesus sets through training, through experience, and through spiritual strength.  This is a trained and mature response.  Regardless of the circumstance, Jesus is always looking for disciples.  There is always an opportunity to impact the world around us.