DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For November 11, 2023 : Topic – JESUS’ EXPLANATION OF UNFAITHFULNESS AND DEFILEMENT
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 86
JESUS’ EXPLANATION OF UNFAITHFULNESS AND DEFILEMENT
Memory Verse: There is Nothing from without a Man, that entering into Him can defile him: but the things which come Out of him, those are they That defile the man” (Mark 7:15).
TEXT: Mark 7:1-37
Christ’s earthly ministry was characterized by mixed reactions from several people who listened to Him. Some Received Him with sincerity of heart, sought and believed on Him. They received His message with joy and gladness and Glorified God. The other sets are those who were insincere Faultfinders. They always sought for occasions to ensnare Christ through His words and deeds. Such arc the sects of the Scribes and Pharisees. “And when they saw some of his Disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with Unwashed, hands, they found fault. Then the Pharisees And scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples According to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with Unwashed hands?” (Mark 7:2,5).
Question 1: What was the intention of the Scribes and Pharisees in asking this question?
The reason for asking Christ this question was to condemn Him and His disciples defaulters of the law, thereby Working against His ministry and seeking occasion to destroy Him. They were not keen on listening to Christ, the One whom Moses prophesied should come. Their concern was on the tradition of the elders. Christian youths who are true followers of Christ should know that unbelievers will not Always love then. They should not be irritated when they Speak against them unreasonably. Christ responded to their accusation by taking time to teach on the spirit behind the Laws rather than the letters of the law.
1. THE PERCEPTION PERVERTED MEN ON DEFILEMENT
Mark 7:1-13; Matthew 15:1-9; Isaiah 29:13; Ezekiel33:31;Colossians 2:18-22;Titus 1:14
The Scribes and the Pharisees are two sects among others That united as a formidable group to attack Jesus and His Disciples. They were respected groups who thought they had Knowledge of the law but had gone to modify it to accommodate their depravity. Howbeit in vain do they Worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of Men (Mark 7:7). This attitude displayed by the Scribes and the Pharisees had been in practice for a long tine. Prophet Isaiah spoke of Their pretentious life in his days. “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, And with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men” (Isaiah 29:13). Instead of seeking God’s Kingdom and righteousness, they formulated their own righteousness.
Question 2: What are some of the established traditions Of the elders promoted by these sects?
Some of the outward shows of piety established by the Elders as tradition are:
Washing of hand before eating.
Washing of cups.
Washing of pots.
Washing of brazen Vessels.
Washing of table before use.
Nothing is wrong in this; it is hygienic to do so. But the problem with the eiders is that they took mere observance of these ordinances as righteousness. “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the World, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not” (Colossians 2:20,21). They no longer emphasized the keeping of the commandments of God. If anyone disobeyed God, it didn’t Matter to the Scribes al Pharisees as Long as the tradition of the elders were kept. Another tradition put in place Them contrary to God’s command was regarding anything given to their parents as a gift (verse 1-13) They fasted and prayed often, paying tithes of all they possessed as righteousness (Luke 18:11,12) Concerning these, Christ said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have Omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to Leave the other undone” (Matthew 23:23). The summary of this point is that salvation is the primary and most necessary response to God’s demand from every Sinning youths. Nothing else would replace obedience to God’s word. As one observes God’s command, he should also Remember that cleanliness is next to godliness.
2. THE PRECEPT OF THE PERFECT MASTER ON DEFILEMENT
Mark 7:14-23; Matthew 15:10,1 1; Romans 14: 14,17-20: 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1: 15; Genesis 6:5; 8:21: Hebrews 10:22
“And when he had called all the people unto him, he Said unto them Hearken unto me every one of you, and Understand” (Mark 7:14). Christ responded to the malicious question of the Scribes and the Pharisees as the Omniscient. He knew their thoughts and intentions. The Scribes and the Pharisee wanted Christ and His disciples to walk after the Tradition of men. There are so many ordinances of men in our Society, some o! which are being promoted by some Denominations. Christian youths should not practice any Ordinance that is not scripturally based. Christ rebuked the Scribes and the Pharisees with the word of God. “He Answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias Prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people Honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Mark 7:6).
Question 3: What do we learn from Christ’s rebuke of the Scribes and the Pharisees with the word of God?
Erroneous teaching can only be corrected through the Word of God. Mere argument cannot change the mind of false Teachers. Christian youths must arm themselves with the knowledge of the Scriptures to stand a chance of correcting Others. Christ further explained to the multitude what defiles
Question 4: What is defilement and what are the things that can defile a youth?
Defilement is the state of being unclean, dirty, and impure Before God. Christ being perfect in personality and knowledge Explained that food cannot defile anyone. There is nothing From without a man, that entering into him can defile Him: but the things which come out of him, those are they That defile the man” (Mark 7:15). According to Christ, only Sin defiles a man. “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the Man” (Matthew 15:18). Defilement begins in the heart in form Of evil thoughts which transforms into real evil acts like “adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, Wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come From within, and defile the man’( Mark 7: 21-23).
Question 5: How can a defiled youth be made clean?
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10: 22). Defiled youths can be made clean. All they need to do is to draw near to Christ through repentance, and Turning away from sin. They will not only obtain pardon, but Will be wholly cleansed with the blood of Jesus inwardly and outwardly. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, We have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (John 1:7).
3. CHRISTS POVER TO HEAL AND DELIVER
Mark 7:24. 37: Matthew 15:21-31; Isaiah 29:14; Hebrews 1:5; Malachi 4:2: Jeremiah 30: 17; Luke 4:18
Christ was a mobile teacher and preacher. He did the work His Father gave Him with real sense of urgency. He did that for two reasons. One, He knew that man has few days to spend on earth and his life can be terminated anytime. Two, He had limited time to do the work. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). Having finished with the multitude, He moved to Tyre and Sidon to reach out to the inhabitants with the gospel. This pattern should be followed by saved and compassionate youths. Christian youths should approach the great commission with utmost sense of urgency and ensure every street and school in their community are reached with the gospel. The time is short and they may not see those neighbors and school mates again. Though Jesus went there and hid Himself, the people still came to Him. This was because He had the word of eternal life. He was committed to doing the will of the Father who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). And His words were confirmed with notable and visible miracles. Any youth who wants to be like Jesus in ministry, must follow His steps and When Christ came to Tyre and Sidon, He performed notable miracles. The daughter of a Syrophenician woman who was tormented by an unclean spirit was delivered. Though unqualified to receive such favor from God, she displayed strong faith which Christ could not resist (verses 27-29). This shows the importance of faith as a prerequisite for receiving anything from the Lord. It also reveals Gods ability and willingness to help those oppressed by the devil Coming to the Sea of Galilee, Christ healed someone who was deaf and dumb (verses 31-36).
Question 6: What do you observe from the way Christ Ministered healings and deliverances to different People and what do you derive from it?
“And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his Fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue” (verse 33). Christ performed miracles in different ways. He Did not adopt a stereotype pattern. He displayed His Unlimited, unhindered, irresistible and infallible power over Challenges of man. Christ’s power performed perfect and Marvellous miracles and the people “were beyond measure Astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he Maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak” (verse 37). What are the challenges in your life? Bring them to Jesus, He has answer to all situations. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).