Verse: Mark 7:1-36

Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees about his 'cleanliness.' He presents two strong points, hypocracy and uncleanliness from within. First, he points out that the Pharisees have adopted the laws of man, and let the teachings of God take a second seat. They have chosen to pay more attention to how to worship God than they have on the worship, or the teachings that they might receive from Him.
Next, Jesus tells us where uncleanliness comes from. It is not from without, for the things that one receives there are all things from God. Rather, it is the things that come from within a man's heart, such as "...evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." These are the things that harm our souls. If we let these things remain in us, we become sick, and can no longer serve the Lord properly.
Next we see the woman begging Jesus to save her daughter from a demon. Jesus says to her "First let the children eat all they want, ... for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." The meaning of this is the subject of much debate, but I beleive that Jesus is testing her. He is saying that saving one person from a demon may distract Him from His teachings. When the woman responds with "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.", meaning even the distractions can serve as teachings, perhaps on a smaller scale, but teachings nonetheless, Jesus is impressed, and heals her daughter.
I pray that I may learn a little every day, even from the smallest of things, so that I may grow in the Lord, and know my way in Him.