Mark 7:1-8:26.  Disciples of Christ must seek for true holiness, and not settle for the mere appearance of holiness.  Those who were considered super-spiritual in 1st century Judaism were those whose religion was based on ritual, taboos, or ancestral lineage.  Jesus rejected all those as a basis for true holiness.

1. The ritual of ceremonial washing before meals led those who practiced it to look down on those who did not, or could not practice it (7:1-13).
2. Jesus taught that defilement comes from within, and is expressed by what one says (7:14-23).
3. It appears that Jesus is acting in a proud manner toward the Gentile Syrophoenician woman.  He is actually allowing her to reveal her humility, and commends her for it.  Holiness is humble (7:24-30).
4. The miracles Jesus performed were not to impress the crowds or to prove himself to his enemies.  They were given to help his disciples understand his message (7:31-8:26).

LORD, make us truly holy.  may we do nothing for appearance sake, but out of the inner resources of changed lives.