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CT Cicero 3231 N. Cicero Ave Chicago, IL 60641  View Map  •  773.583.7344  •  Questions? Email contactus@chicagotabernacle.org

Devotional: A Clean Heart

November 19 2023
Posted by Pastor Toledo

In Mark 7, Jesus engages in a dialogue with the Pharisees and teachers of the law who question why His disciples do not follow the tradition of ceremonially washing their hands before eating. Jesus seizes this moment to teach a profound lesson about true cleanliness, one that extends beyond external rituals to the core of the human heart. He declares that it is not what goes into a person from the outside that defiles them, but rather what comes from within – the intentions, thoughts, and attitudes of the heart. This powerful message challenges us to consider the purity of our inner selves, urging us to move beyond mere external observances and rituals. It’s a call to authenticity and integrity, emphasizing that true cleanliness is found in a heart transformed by love, compassion, and righteousness.

As we reflect on Jesus’ words, we’re reminded that cultivating a clean heart involves a continual process of surrender and transformation. It requires us to examine our motives, seeking to align them with the principles of love and selflessness that Jesus exemplified. In our daily lives, let us strive for a purity that goes beyond outward appearances, a purity that flows from a genuine connection with the Divine. May we be intentional in nurturing qualities of kindness, forgiveness, and humility, allowing these virtues to shape our character. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to view cleanliness not as a superficial act but as a spiritual posture, inviting us to draw near to God with hearts purified by His grace and animated by His love.

Questions For Meditation

  1. What is the mechanism that we have spiritually?
  2. What happens based on what we take into our hearts? 
  3. Why are our principles more important and powerful than our preferences? 
  4. What are the filters we carry that help us from contaminants? 
  5. How can we tell what the mechanism in our hearts is producing?


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Chicago, IL 60641

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Exodus 13:17-22 NLT