The day began like most days. Hot and dry in the Judean basin. Word had begun to spread that this bazaar prophet, the one who insisted on preaching on the margins of the community, literally in the outskirts, the desert, John the Baptist, they called him, had been executed.

So his voice silenced, it was back to religion as usual. No fresh calling to holiness or righteousness. No more challenge to the hedonistic self absorbed ways of religious people, busying themselves with religious practice. All of that was gone along with John's head.

There was another preacher on the scene but he was not as enigmatic, yet, anyway, as the Baptist. So his crowds were unsubstantial. Still he was gaining a unique reputation for being able to do amazing things, like walk on water and seemingly make blind people see.  Some were coming to him merely to get a glimpse of him, or to touch his clothes, in hopes of finding some shred of hope to change their circumstances.  So something was in the air . . .

Everytime Jesus opened His mouth he changed the equation of religion. His message: Tradition, ministry, activity and anything humanly external does not equal righteousness.   Bringing Him into the margins of your life, into the deeper places  is  what really matter and is a matter of the heart.  There is a place in your living Christ does not simply desire occasional access to, like a tourist or guest who comes in nicely when invited and eventually leaves at an appropriate time. No this place Christ wants to own. It's called your heart. The inner margins of you . . .

Religion is chock full of rituals and regulations that somehow make us feel like we're at least approaching a form of righteousness. Religion makes us very susceptible to the temptation to trade Christian busy-ness for the real item of intimacy with Christ.  What Christ really desires is your heart.

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day who were so focused on outward rituals, like washing hands before meals, for their relentless passion for rules.  He said, "You honor Me with your lips, but your hearts are nowhere near Me."  That stings. That's convicting. That's . . . well, me, if I'm honest with myself.

Jesus at once calls you and me to bring the focus on ourselves and honestly to examine our hearts. 

Jesus says it's not about externals.  Culture's not the problem.  Things that can go in us are not the issue. The issue for God is what's already inside. What comes out of us, what comes from our hearts determines our spiritual destinies.

Christ wants your heart. Your devotion. The choicest of your margin.

 What is in the margins of your life today? What's filling the white space of your life? Your plans, your agenda, your kids, your activity, your ministry? What do I hear of most when I'm near you or around you and listening to your talk? What fills your conversation? Talk of you? Your accomplishments? Your children's great feats of academic and physical achievements?  Words describing all you are DOING for God?   Hmm. Might want to pause and rethink your religion.

 In Matthew 15, there's another story about a Canaanite woman. First she's pagan. Canaanite. Second she's female. Already marginalized from the boundaries of religion. But she found a way to Jesus. Her daughter was ill and needed a miracle. So this woman threw caution to the wind and placed herself in the path of Jesus. Now that's more like it! Don't you agree?

 She came with a complete lack of pretense . . . no appropriateness to her tone or approach. She simply pursued Him, and risking everything she cried out to Him. She fell at His feet and begged for mercy. Okay, now we're getting somewhere.  She's in the margin of her experience. Her heart is laid bare. She pursued Jesus until He met her deepest need. 

 Is that you? Is that your family? Is that me? Is that how I lead my family to approach Him?  

 Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself that will help you focus on your heart . . . (not original with me.)

 What am I currently not doing, that if I were doing, would  place myself in the path of Christ and His grace?

What am I currently doing, that if I were not doing, would place myself in the path of Christ and His grace?

  He's the only one who can meet your deepest need today. It's a matter of the heart. Go there. He's waiting.

Pastor Mark