Christ's persecution and stressors during His earthly ministry
Matthew 14:13 shows that Christ's retreat indeed was after hearing about John the Baptist's martyrdom; also mentioned in Mark 6. There are several things we observe here; first of all in this case the Disciples were in mind here as they had finished ministry work and the Lord indicated they would go retreat and rest. This wasn't to happen; as the crowds followed Him. Jesus nonetheless miraculously provided for them; and immediately after this we see His next issue with the Pharisees; that of eating with unclean hands in Mark 7. I had touched upon the Lord Himself in a post from a few months back. Surely His grief would have been great as John was said to be the most Godly man alive and instrumental to prepare the way for the Lord (see Matthew 11:11).
Anyway; as we explore Matthew 7 we see the hypocrisy indicated with the Pharisees and their greatest dilemma of unclean hearts trumping any issues with unclean hands. Thus; in general we see the ceremonial law is of no spiritual significance.
It serves for purification to enable one to physically survive in the presence of God (at least at that time) before His atoning sacrifice rendered it unnecessary. This showed the whole perspective of the Pharisees was self righteousness and their rules and regulations had no value with unclean souls. Jesus used a prophecy in Isaiah 29:13 in Mark 7:6 in His rebuke. Isaiah had much to say about God being sick and tired of religious sacrifices and offerings with impure hearts (see Isaiah 1:17 and following verses).
The rest of Mark 7 shows Jesus in the area of Tyre ministering to the Syrophoenician woman and commended her great faith; and He also ministered in the area of the Decapolis. For this brief excursion He got a break from the Pharisees; but in chapter 8 He once again has to confront them in regard to their hypocrisy.
Matthew 14:13 shows that Christ's retreat indeed was after hearing about John the Baptist's martyrdom; also mentioned in Mark 6. There are several things we observe here; first of all in this case the Disciples were in mind here as they had finished ministry work and the Lord indicated they would go retreat and rest. This wasn't to happen; as the crowds followed Him. Jesus nonetheless miraculously provided for them; and immediately after this we see His next issue with the Pharisees; that of eating with unclean hands in Mark 7. I had touched upon the Lord Himself in a post from a few months back. Surely His grief would have been great as John was said to be the most Godly man alive and instrumental to prepare the way for the Lord (see Matthew 11:11).
Anyway; as we explore Matthew 7 we see the hypocrisy indicated with the Pharisees and their greatest dilemma of unclean hearts trumping any issues with unclean hands. Thus; in general we see the ceremonial law is of no spiritual significance.
It serves for purification to enable one to physically survive in the presence of God (at least at that time) before His atoning sacrifice rendered it unnecessary. This showed the whole perspective of the Pharisees was self righteousness and their rules and regulations had no value with unclean souls. Jesus used a prophecy in Isaiah 29:13 in Mark 7:6 in His rebuke. Isaiah had much to say about God being sick and tired of religious sacrifices and offerings with impure hearts (see Isaiah 1:17 and following verses).
The rest of Mark 7 shows Jesus in the area of Tyre ministering to the Syrophoenician woman and commended her great faith; and He also ministered in the area of the Decapolis. For this brief excursion He got a break from the Pharisees; but in chapter 8 He once again has to confront them in regard to their hypocrisy.
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