Hey, Beautiful Souls!
Today, March 22, 2025, we’re deep into Lent—part of our “Journey Through Lent: 40 Days from Ashes to Alleluia” (March 5–April 19, 2025). I’m so glad you’re here with me as we unpack Mark 7:7-9. This season’s all about stripping away what’s fake and leaning into what’s real with Jesus, and these verses hit that nail on the head. They’re a wake-up call to put heart over tradition, to let our faith be raw and true. So grab your coffee, and your journal, and let’s dig into what Jesus is saying to us right now, just a couple of weeks before Easter.
Lent always shakes me up in the best way. By late March, I’m feeling the weight of these 40 days—letting go, reflecting, and chasing Jesus through the mess. Mark 7 feels like a flashlight in that mess, showing us where we’ve swapped real worship for empty routines. Let’s explore it together, okay?
Mark 7:7-9 (NIV)
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. And he continued, ‘You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
Jesus doesn’t mince words here. He’s quoting Isaiah, calling out the Pharisees for their lip service—worship that looks good but misses the heart. This comes in a conversation about rules they’d piled on, like ceremonial hand-washing, that overshadowed God’s actual commands. It’s a gut check: are we clinging to traditions or chasing God’s heart? Lent’s the perfect time to wrestle with that, as we sift through what’s real and what’s just noise.
Table of Contents
Why Heart Matters More
What’s Jesus getting at with heart over tradition? He’s not anti-tradition—He loved the Law when it pointed to God. But when rules become the point, we’ve lost the plot. The Pharisees were pros at looking holy—prayers on repeat, hands scrubbed just so—but their hearts were miles from God. Jesus says true worship starts inside. Lent’s our chance to check that. Are we just going through the motions—giving up candy, saying the right words—or are we letting Him reshape us?
I’ve been there, stuck in the “shoulds.” Like praying because it’s bedtime, not because I’m hungry for God. Mark 7:7-9 asks us to flip that script. It’s not about perfect routines; it’s about a heart alive for Jesus. What traditions are you holding that might need a rethink?
Letting Go of the Fake
“You have let go of the commands of God” —ouch. Jesus calls it like it is. The Pharisees ditched love, justice, and mercy for their rulebook. Lent’s about shedding that fake stuff. Maybe it’s a habit you do just because “that’s how it’s always been.” For me, it’s been Sunday mornings—rushing to church, smiling on cue, but not always connecting. Heart over tradition means trading performance for presence.
This season, I’ve been asking: what’s my “human tradition”? Sometimes it’s guilt-driven prayers or comparing my faith to someone else’s highlight reel. Jesus says let it go. His commands—love God, love others—trump all that. Where’s He nudging you to drop the act and get real?
My Tradition Trap
Here’s where I get vulnerable. Last year, I hit a wall during Lent. I’d promised to fast from social media—great idea, right? But by week two, I was sneaking peeks, not because I needed it, but because it was habit. Tradition. I felt so fake, checking boxes instead of chasing Jesus. One night, I read Mark 7:7-9, and it stung. I was worshipping “in vain”—not with my heart, but with my routine.
So I ditched the phone for real, grabbed my journal, and just sat with Him. No agenda. No rules. Just me and Jesus. It wasn’t pretty—tears, messy prayers—but it was true. That’s what heart over tradition looks like for me. Lent brought me back there this year, and I’m still learning. What’s your trap—where’s Jesus calling you deeper?
Crafting True Worship
Let’s get creative with this! Mark 7:7-9 begs for some heart over tradition journaling. Grab your Bible, a pen, maybe some markers, and let’s make it real. Write out these verses. Around them, sketch the “traditions” you’re questioning—maybe a clock for rigid schedules or a mask for pretending. Then, on a fresh page, draw what true worship feels like—open hands, a heart, a cross. Add colors that spark authenticity for you (I’ve been into deep purples and pastels lately).
Pray as you go: “Jesus, show me where my heart’s at.” Bible journaling is my lifeline—it turns scripture into something I can touch. If you’re new to this, my Scripture Journaling Kit has prompts to ease you in. It’s not about art; it’s about meeting Him there. What’ll you draw first?
Living It Out
How do we live heart over tradition this Lent? Here’s some practical stuff:
- Pause and Check: Spend 5 minutes daily with Mark 7:7-9. Ask, “Where’s my heart today?”
- Journal Truth: Write one tradition you’re rethinking and one way to worship authentically. (My Mini Journaling Kit has space for this!)
- Break a Rule: Skip a “should” that’s not from God—sleep in, pray messy, whatever—and just be with Him.
- Talk It Out: Share with a friend what Jesus is stirring in you. Real talk fuels real faith.
I tried breaking a rule last week—skipped my usual prayer script and just rambled to God. It felt weird, but so right. Pick one step and run with it. What’s calling your name?
Free Creative Resources
I’ve got goodies for you, Creative Jesus Girls! They are always available free to download and I add to the free creative resources nearly weekly.
- Free Lent Resources: Snag my Lent printable for new creation in Christ vibes.
- Scripture Journaling Kit: Templates and fun stuff for your Bible time.
- 40-Day Journey Through Lent: From Ashes to Alleluia
Love this? My Patreon’s got exclusive journal prompts and chats—join us! These resources are my heart on a page—crafted to help you grow closer to Jesus through creativity. I’ve poured hours into them, and I’d love for you to dive in.
Prayer for Mark 7:7-9
Dear Jesus,
You see right through our masks, and I love You for it. Thank You for calling us to heart over tradition, for wanting our real, messy selves. This Lent, strip away my fake stuff—the rules I hide behind, the routines that dull my love for You. Draw me close, Lord, and make my worship true. Hold my sisters here too. Show them Your heart, free them from empty traditions, and lead us all into authentic faith these 40 days. We’re Yours—keep us real.
In Jesus’ Name, I Pray,
Amen.
Final Thoughts, Connect & Share
Lent’s a wild, beautiful ride, and I’m with you—messy, real, and all about Jesus. Mark 7:7-9’s a mirror—where’s it reflecting your heart? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear. Share with a friend—hit those social buttons! Tag @CreativeJesusGirl on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Reddit, and LinkedIn with #CreativeJesusGirl for more faith-filled encouragement. I’m Debbie, a Jesus girl living for Him and sharing my creative faith—have a peek at or join us on Patreon!
