40 Day Bible Reading Challenge: Day 33 Jesus heals daughter of woman and points out hypocrisy of leaders

Mark Chapter 7,  replays the conflicts between Jesus and the Pharisees, primarily focusing on the concepts of purity and tradition. The chapter begins with the Pharisees criticizing Jesus' disciples for not following the traditional Jewish handwashing rituals before eating. Jesus responds by accusing the Pharisees of prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments. He highlights their hypocrisy by showing how they manipulate laws for their benefit, particularly criticizing their practice of Corban, which allowed individuals to avoid supporting their parents by dedicating their resources to God.

The narrative then shifts to Jesus teaching about inner purity versus external rituals. He declares all foods clean, overturning Jewish dietary laws and emphasizing that true defilement comes from within a person, from their heart and actions, rather than from external sources or practices. This teaching is significant as it marks a departure from Jewish ritual purity laws, emphasizing moral and ethical conduct over ceremonial cleanliness.

Finally, Mark 7 also contains accounts of Jesus' healing miracles outside Jewish territories, illustrating his ministry's expansion to Gentiles. He heals the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, a Gentile, showcasing his compassion and challenging the prevailing Jewish notion of exclusivity in God's mercy. Subsequently, Jesus heals a deaf and mute man in the Decapolis, further emphasizing his authority and the inclusive nature of his message. These miracles, along with his teachings in this chapter, underscore Jesus' challenge to religious and social boundaries of the time, promoting a message of inclusivity and internal purity over external adherence to tradition.