Spiritual Contamination

The matter of washed or unwashed hands had far reaching implications. Remembering we are triune beings, body, soul, and spirit, and that what might soil the hands does not soil the spirit is important to know. Ceremony was so important to the Jews (and many other religions including much of Christianity) that is was easy for a person to begin to think that ceremonial cleansing rituals had some moral effect on a person's relationship with God. It is difficult to think some believed that their relationship with Deity was obtained and maintained through meticulous hand-washing. So Jesus gives them a principle. The answer to mindless traditions is understood principle. In Matthew we have: "Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." (15:11) In Mark we have: "There is nothing outside the man which going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defiles the man." (7:15) Both statements carry the same principle, i.e. external contaminates of a physical nature cannot corrupt the man, the integrated being made of body, soul and spirit. However, the things that come out of a man's mouth and life are defiling of the man because they rise from the heart, the very seat that makes a man who he is. The reason this understanding is so important is because it makes the clear distinction between what we can wash and what we cannot. A man can wash his hands thinking this will make him morally and spiritually clean, and go about deceived, yet proud that he made himself righteous. Or, a man can admit that no amount of outward cleansing will ever make him morally pure or holy. This kind of cleansing must be provided by God and with an agent capable of true moral cleansing, i.e. the blood of his only Son.

This hand-washing matter struck at the heart of the gospel. This is why we must be careful in the way we understand baptism. Many of the critics of water baptism being associated with forgiveness of sins or cleansing of the heart fear it because of what Jesus said here. How can some physical act from the  outside affect any cleansing on the spirit of man? It is a valid questions and should not be dismissed. It has to be answered. The answer was provided by Peter. who spoke of baptism's focus. He compares baptism in water to Noah's experience of water which separated him and his family from the evil corruption of the world which was being destroyed in the flood. "And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:21)  Peter understood that baptism in water and the cleansing provided on the outside on the body had no effect on sin, but the appeal that sprang from a person's heart when being baptized did have an effect. That appeal was made to God for a good conscience. Sin corrupts the conscience. It must be cleansed in order for the whole man to be saved. The question is not whether God has to do this, an operation that can only be performed by God, but when does he do it. He can just as easily do it in connection with some outward symbol as not. But, the one being cleansed must not attribute his cleansing to the outward act in any part of it, but to the One who makes us holy and righteous.

Physical cannot touch spiritual. Fornication corrupts not because of the dirtiness of the physical act, but because it originates in the heart. That is why we must not think that merely changing some one's behavior will save them. Outward righteousness was what the Jewish enemies of Christ had. It was the internal cleansing they needed which is invited by a repentant, contrite, and faith-filled heart. This is what Jesus is saying. He who has ears to hear let him hear.