WELS Family Devotion

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Devotion based on Mark 9:30-37

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The argument still goes on today. Who is the GOAT (greatest of all time)? Who is the greatest president of all time? Is it George Washington? Abraham Lincoln? Franklin Delano Roosevelt? Who is the greatest quarterback of all time? Joe Montana or Aaron Rodgers? Peyton Manning or Tom Brady? Who is the greatest preschool programming personality of all time? Is it Bluey, Blippi, or Ms. Rachel? Maybe you’ve participated in one of these debates at home, school, or around the preschool water cooler. These debates are argued using various standards depending on the category. Someone might judge presidents on foreign policy or economic prosperity, quarterbacks on statistics or Super Bowls, and preschool personalities on entertainment or educational value.

The desire to be the greatest and the arguments that go along with it are nothing new and do not only apply to discussions about famous political, athletic, or entertainment personalities. In today’s Bible reading, we hear Jesus’ disciples arguing about who was the greatest disciple among them. A few of the disciples had recently witnessed Jesus’ glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. Maybe that earned them some greatness points in their debate. Others recently could not drive out a demon from a boy. Maybe that lost them some greatness points in their debate. No matter what standards the disciples were using, their entire debate was completely wrong. Jesus makes clear in his response what truly makes someone great.

As he often does, Jesus turns everything people think about greatness upside down and inside out. Jesus says the one who is greatest is the servant of all. The greatest is the one who welcomes little children and takes time for the smallest among us—the ones who could never repay you. But Jesus says even more than that. While the disciples were arguing about which one of them was the greatest, Jesus was talking about suffering, dying, and rising again. That’s what made Jesus the greatest of all time. Think about it. He is the one who came to welcome the little children. Even more than that, Jesus came to give himself completely for a world full of us sinners who could never, ever pay him back.

Do you want to be great? True greatness comes when Jesus’ humble service to you fills you up and overflows in your humble service to others.

Lord Jesus, your humble service to a world full of sinners reveals you as the greatest of all time. We are the objects of your humble, saving service. Fill us with thankfulness and humility that we might find true greatness in service to you and our neighbor. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Devotion based on James 3:13-18

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Why would anybody want to be humble?

Even though it seems many people today do not prize it as a virtue, humility is very practical. There are few things more annoying than a know-it-all. And people who think they are better than everybody else might find it hard to have any real friends. But that’s not the only thing. Humility is one of the most highly praised virtues in the Bible. God’s Word says, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11,12). Humility has incredible practical and spiritual benefits. How do we get this highly praised and highly practical virtue? Today, James tells us that to be humble, you must be smart. Humility takes wisdom.

But not just any kind of wisdom. There is a kind of wisdom that comes from this world James calls unspiritual and even of the devil. This earthly wisdom is marked by bitter envy and selfish ambition. Those are big words. What do they mean? Bitter envy is jealousy or anger over the good that someone else has. It is the attitude that is behind selfish ambition, which means always trying to get whatever you want without thinking about anyone else. Bitter envy and selfish ambition always lead to a life that is full of evil, disorder, and fighting.

Humility takes a different kind of wisdom—not worldly but heavenly. It takes that kind of wisdom to not put yourself first, but others first instead. It takes that kind of wisdom to have a life that is full of peace. Humility takes wisdom and leads to peace.

Who came down from heaven to give us peace? Jesus did. God’s Son came down from heaven without any bitter envy or selfish ambition. He did not think about himself. Jesus only thought about others. He thought about us. That’s why he humbled himself to come into this world, make himself nothing, go to the cross, and bring us sinners peace with God. That is what Jesus has accomplished for us. Through him, may God accomplish that in us.

Lord Jesus, we thank you that you humbled yourself to come down from heaven and give us heavenly peace forever. Help us to be wise and humble in all our dealings with others so that we might spread your peace in this world. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this. (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.

Devotion based on Numbers 12:1-9

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“It’s not fair that he gets to play with it! I want to!”

Maybe those words, or something like them, have been spoken in your house. Sometimes, we want something or think we deserve something that someone else has—maybe even a brother or sister. When we feel that way, we can treat them poorly. We can even treat our parents poorly because they are the ones who get to decide in our house who gets to do what and when.

Something like that happened when God’s Old Testament people were wandering in the wilderness. During that time, three grown-up siblings—Moses, Aaron, and Miriam—had important roles among the Israelites, but Moses was the leader. That’s because the Lord chose Moses to be the leader. The Lord, who had rescued them from slavery in Egypt, always knew what was best for his people. But Miriam and Aaron began to question what God thought was best. They talked badly about Moses. They thought they should be the leaders because they spoke God’s words too, and because Moses had married a woman who wasn’t from where they were from, which is not only very silly but also very sinful. Miriam and Aaron thought they were better than Moses. They thought they were smarter than God. That sin is called pride, and it leads to all kinds of other sins. That’s why there is a wise saying that says, “Pride comes before the fall.”

That saying points back to the Garden of Eden. Pride was the reason that the once good angel, Satan, rebelled against his God. He wanted what God had—his power and position. Pride was the reason Adam and Eve fell into Satan’s temptation to eat the forbidden fruit. They thought they should get to be like God. But pride always leads to more sin, and it always leads to a fall. There were painful consequences for Miriam’s and Aaron’s sinful pride. There are painful consequences for ours, too.

Thank God for the forgiveness he gives through Jesus. The glorious Son of God had every reason to be prideful, but in humility, he gave up everything to come and be the Savior of sinful people like you and me.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for our selfish sins of pride for humble, selfless Jesus’ sake. Help us remember pride comes before the fall so that we guard our hearts against it. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

Devotion based on Mark 9:14-27

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In 1918, Robert Ripley premiered his newspaper panel that shared strange events and artifacts so unusual that readers might find the claims unbelievable. The newspaper panel, which he called Believe It or Not, was eventually adapted for use in books, radio, television, and even a chain of museums. You may have toured one when you were on vacation with your family and discussed whether what you saw there was real. Do you believe it or not?

Some things are hard to believe—even things about God. We see that in our reading from the Word of God for today. There was a man who had a son who was possessed by an evil spirit. This evil spirit made it so the man’s son could not talk and often threw him onto the ground with a seizure. Jesus’ disciples had been trying to drive out the spirit, but they couldn’t. It seemed like most people did not believe healing the man’s son was possible—maybe even the man himself.

You can understand why. The man told Jesus this had been happening his son’s whole life, and his son had often been in danger. The devil had used these attacks to hurt this family more than physically. He wanted them to stop trusting their God. You can see that in the man’s pleading conversation with Jesus. “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 6:22-24)!

Jesus did a great miracle that day. He set that man’s son free from the evil spirit. Jesus’ miracle showed that he had God’s power. It also gave a glimpse of what Jesus had come into this world as Savior to do: overcome the devil. Jesus would do that once and for all by his cross and empty tomb. The devil is defeated. The war is won. The victory is ours.

As we continue to fight our spiritual battles on this side of heaven, Jesus assures us that “everything is possible for the one who believes.” So, we exclaim, with the father, “Help me overcome my unbelief!” And Jesus does. Through his Word and sacraments, he increases our faith in him and gives us eternal victory. Believe it!

Lord Jesus, sometimes what is happening in our lives makes us doubt that you are there, that you care about us, and that you have won the victory for us. In those moments overcome our unbelief and increase our faith with your tremendous promises. Remind us that everything is possible with you. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Devotion based on Ephesians 6:10-18

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What kind of items do you need to have a tea party? To have a tea party, you need a teapot, teacups, tea, plates, napkins, silverware, and snacks. What kind of equipment do you need for a neighborhood baseball game? To have a neighborhood baseball game, you need baseball bats, baseballs, baseball gloves, and bases. What kind of tools does Dad need to do the yard work? To do the yard work, he needs a lawnmower, a trimmer, an edger, some gloves, and maybe some protective ear and eye wear. When you need to do something, it is important to have the right equipment for the job.

Today, we want to think about what kind of equipment a soldier needs to be ready to go to war. Maybe you have a family member or friend who serves in the Armed Forces who uses weapons—both offensive and defensive—against enemies who want to harm our nation. The apostle Paul wants to prepare us for a different kind of battle—one in which each of us is called to struggle. What makes this battle different? Paul says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). We’re in a battle against the devil himself, his evil angels, and this sinful world who all want to get us to fall into sin and end up under their control. This is a battle for our souls and will determine where we spend forever—either with God in heaven or with the devil in hell. What kind of equipment do you need for that kind of battle? Paul says we need the full armor of God.

Paul uses the equipment a Roman soldier would use to be ready for physical battle to picture the equipment we need for the spiritual war we’re in. Look at Paul’s equipment list again. Every piece of equipment points us to God’s Word and all the things we get from God’s Word, especially the good news about the ultimate warrior who won the ultimate war for us against all the devil’s forces—our Savior, Jesus Christ. When we listen to his Word and trust in Jesus, we are ready for every battle. We have everything that we need.

Lord, be with us as we face our daily battles with the spiritual forces of evil. Equip us with your armor through your Word and give us the victory through your Son, Jesus. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

Devotion based on 1 Kings 18:21-24

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox. The Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears. The Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Boston Celtics. These are some of the greatest rivalries in sports history. A rivalry is an ongoing competition between two people or groups. Each rival wants to reach the same goal, but only one can reach it. In the case of these sports teams, the goal is to be crowned champions in their sport. Though some sports rivalries go back over one hundred years, none are even close to the longest-running rivalry in history.

To find that rivalry, you need to go back to the beginning when the devil and his fallen angels started to battle the Lord for his place of power and for the people he loves—a much more important battle than any sports rivalry. Beginning in the Garden of Eden, the Bible gives us a play-by-play of this intense rivalry with eternal consequences. One such episode of this ongoing competition is recorded in 1 Kings chapter 18.

At this point in history, it seemed like the devil was getting the upper hand in the rivalry. The people of Israel were led to worship a false god named Baal by wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. They said Baal was the god who made the rainfall so their crops would grow. There were a lot of prophets of Baal at the time and very few prophets of God. But the Lord announced through the Prophet Elijah that he was sending a drought on the land of Israel. The drought had been going on for three years. That should have shown the people of Israel where rain came from, but Elijah set up one final contest to prove the point. “The god who answers by fire—he is God” (1 Kings 18:24).

On top of Mount Carmel, no matter what they tried, the 450 prophets of Baal could not get Baal to answer them. That’s because Baal was a false god, an idol. The Lord answered Elijah by miraculously sending fire to consume Elijah’s sacrifice. On another mountain—Mount Calvary—God’s Son, Jesus, made the ultimate sacrifice that defeated the devil and his evil forces forever, an even greater miracle. Only the true God could accomplish that. The Lord has no rival.

Lord, you are the only true God and Savior. Help us to always remember who you are and what you have done for us, so that we may never put our trust in idols, but always in you alone. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Devotion based on Mark 7:31-37

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When the Super Bowl happens, it seems like everyone in America knows. Television stations display advertisements. News stations talk about it. And a large percentage of the nation tunes in to watch. When the day of the Super Bowl comes, it is a full production. There are pregame shows; the game takes a long time; a large halftime show; and a postgame presentation and show. It demands your attention. Once you hear about it, it’s hard to miss.

Jesus has more power and ability than every player in the Super Bowl. At the end of Mark chapter 7, he heals a man who is deaf and can hardly talk. Jesus proves that he is God; he proves that he has the power to save the world. This is a kind of power that should be on display, like the Super Bowl.

But what does Jesus do when he heals this man? He takes him away from the crowd and has a personal moment with him. He looks up to heaven. Then Jesus does the impossible in secret. Finally, Jesus tells the man not to tell anyone. Jesus does not put his almighty power on display. It’s the opposite of the Super Bowl. It seems like this should not have been written because it was so hidden. Jesus does not draw unwanted attention to his power.

This helps us understand how God uses his power. It is not for entertainment; it is to draw people to himself. God uses his power to prove and support his message that Jesus is our Savior. And that is what happens with Jesus’ hidden display of power. People recognized that he did all things well. More people wanted to hear about Jesus.

How does God use power in your life? It is not like how the world uses power at the Super Bowl. It is more like this man who was lame. As we pray for God’s power to be used in our lives, let’s remember its purpose; to show us our Savior, Jesus. If we know Jesus, we already have the power of God.

Dear Jesus, thank you for displaying your power to us. Help it to build our faith instead of doubting you. Open our eyes to see the power already at work in our life. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Devotion based on Acts 3:1-10

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

If you could be a superhero, what superpower would you have?

Comics and superheroes are popular. This is a fun question that many people try to answer. It makes you think about what you could do with more power. The answers most people give usually fixes something they want or need. But this question leaves out a part of many superhero stories: most superheroes did not go looking for power; they are given it.

In the early church, God gave special power to his apostles to help them spread the gospel of Jesus. In our Bible reading today, we see the power that God gave to Peter. He was able to heal a man who was lame, which means that he could not walk. This man had never been able to walk, and there was little that humans could do for him. But the power of God could do something. Peter healed him by God’s power.

So, what power do you want from God? Jesus walked on water, calmed storms, and walked through a crowd. He and his disciples healed all kinds of diseases. God could give any kind of power. But that wasn’t the true power.

The true power was the name that Peter used, Jesus Christ. The most powerful thing that Peter brought to that man and to the crowd was the name of Jesus. The healing power came from the name of Jesus. But even more, the name of Jesus is where salvation comes from.

So, what superpower do you want from God? He has already given you one, the name of Jesus. He doesn’t promise that you will be able to heal people like Peter, but God has given you salvation through Jesus. He gives you the forgiveness of sins, and that is a power you can give to other people. You have a superpower; you have the name of Jesus.

Dear God, thank you for giving us the power of your Word. Through your Son, Jesus, you have given us forgiveness, life, and salvation. Help us give this to other people. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Devotion based on Isaiah 35:4-6

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God promises to do more in these short verses than just open eyes, ears, and mouths. God uses his power for so much more. Even though this will be fulfilled or come true, literally, are your eyes open figuratively? That means, do you understand what God is doing with his power?

On the Fourth of July in America, there are displays of fireworks. It is a way to celebrate. Families and friends, coworkers and neighbors come together to enjoy the fireworks. But at the same time, many people do not enjoy fireworks. People with bad memories of loud noises and tragedy need to stay inside. Some adults and children are afraid of fireworks. Some people who own pets need to comfort them. Fireworks have great power.

God also has great power. Through the prophet Isaiah, God reveals his power, and we enjoy hearing about the good things like healing. But sometimes, we miss the full picture. It also says that God is coming with vengeance and retribution. These are two bad things for those on the other end. Vengeance is repaying someone for the wrong things that they have done. Retribution is similar. God uses his power to punish sin.

So, how can we be certain that God will use his power to heal us—like the blind, lame, deaf, and mute? Or will he use his power to punish us?

The answer to that question is in the One who came to fulfill this prophecy. It’s Jesus! Jesus was God himself, and he came with power. Jesus used that power to teach against those who rejected him, but also to heal those who believe in him.

When we believe in God’s power to save us through Jesus, we can be confident that he will use his power to heal and restore us. He does not always physically heal us, but he has released us from the power of sin. He has opened our eyes to see his salvation and healed us from the crippling power of sin.

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for showing us your power in your Word. Please help us to have confidence that you will use this almighty power for our good. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing. So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

Devotion based on Mark 7: 1-23 (selected verses)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Wash your hands” is a common phrase to hear before you eat. We wash our hands to stay healthy and clean, especially before we eat. But, after a little research, you can find people who do not wash their hands or shower for very long times. There is one man who made it 60 years without a shower. This is not recommended for your health. It is wise to keep clean. There are people who wash several times a day and people who avoid washing for a long time. So, who is right?

If your parents tell you to wash your hands, you should listen to them. It would be wrong not to. But what about when no one tells you? Again, it is wise to wash your hands for your health and the health of other people.

So, why does Jesus defend his disciples when they don’t wash their hands? The Pharisees, who cared about God’s laws, accused the disciples of doing wrong when they did not wash their hands because this was against their customs. The Pharisees were saying that the disciples were wrong in front of God.

This is where Jesus, God’s Son, steps in. Even though it’s a good idea to wash your hands, what the Pharisees were claiming was wrong. Jesus could see that it was their heart that was wrong. The Pharisees claimed that they cared about God, but their words proved that their hearts were in the wrong place. They trusted in their ability to follow God’s laws, and they failed to see that Jesus was their Savior.

We can’t tell a person’s heart by washing hands or not, but we do have each other’s words. Those who confess Jesus as their Savior and not the works of the law have their heart in the right place. The disciples followed Jesus, but the Pharisees did not. That was the problem, not washing hands. Believe in Jesus and not in your ability to keep the law.

Dear Jesus, thank you for teaching us about your salvation. We cannot get to heaven by following our own rules. We can only be saved by you. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above