Matthew: Chapter 15
Matthew chapter 15 gives the contrast between superfluous traditions and innate faith, and tells which one is expected and accepted by the LORD. The chapter has three incidents which portray the above.
Clean and Unclean
Some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and accused Jesus's disciples of breaking the "tradition of the elders", the tradition in question here is "not washing their hands before they eat". Now, it is hygienic to wash ones hands before eating anything, however, this is not what the Pharisees where referring. They where talking about a "ceremonial cleansing" which isn't particularly useful, but was just a tradition. A superfluous tradition.
Jesus, in his response, pointed out both how they were doing things which were of convenience to them, and also the importance of requiring inward cleansing, more than outward cleansing. He stated how it was wrongful of them to disobey a command given by the LORD (which requires one to take care of their parents in their old age) and replace it with a tradition (where they push aside their parents saying that "Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God.")
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| You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesized about you. |
The clear hypocrisy is that, they disobey the command which said to take care of their parents and then say that the money and effort which they would have spent on them, now belongs to God. Jesus adds that these are the people Isaiah prophesized about,
These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. Matthew 15:8,9
When one forgets or ignores or fails to see what is actually expected by the LORD, they end up as blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, they both will fall into a pit.
Further, Jesus clarifies to the crowd, "Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean', but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean'. Which he further explains as such,
"... whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body. But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart and these make a man 'unclean'. For out of the hear come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean'". Matthew 15:17-20
Faith of the Canaanite Woman
The fact that the LORD looks at the heart and not vain outward actions is encapsulated in the encounter Jesus had with a particular Canaanite woman. Jesus was the promised messiah to the Israelites, and then to the world. This is why Jesus primarily went around the regions of Israel proclaiming the good news and calling for repentance. But, Jesus did help out ones who sought him, and this incident is special as it shows the heart and faith of this Canaanite woman who knew for sure that Jesus could help her daughter.
Jesus didn't answer her straight away, yet her faith is seen in action when she persisted and humbled herself before Jesus. Thus, seeing her heart and her faith, Jesus praised her and granted what she asked.
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:28
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
The final incident recorded in this chapter is similar to what we have seen in the previous chapter where Jesus fed five thousand besides women and children. Yet again, the emphasis is given on the compassion Jesus has towards the people. He heals everyone who was brought to him and feeds them till they are satisfied. Once again showing that there is healing and comfort for everyone who seeks the LORD, and we would be blessed abundantly that we would be satisfied and also have left over.
They all ate and were satisfied. Afterwards the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Matthew 15:37
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| They all ate and were satisfied |
See you in the next one. Take care of yourselves and each other!
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