Hi friends. I am Annie F Downs. Let's read the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible,

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the stories of Jesus Christ life on earth the friendships the parables the sacrifices the meals the miracles

So here's how this works I'm gonna read one chapter to you today you can listen or read along in your own Bible and then I'll mention

the verse or idea that stood out to me and then I will pray and that's it. But we'd

love to hear what stood out to you as well. Those conversations are awesome.

They're happening over on Instagram at Let's Read the Gospel. So make

sure you're following there chatting with your friends who are here in the same

chapter today. So today is January 28th. I'll be reading Mark 7 from the new international version.

Mark 7.

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 holding to the tradition of the

elders.

When they come from the marketplace,

they do not eat unless they wash.

And they observe many other traditions,

such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.

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?

...