Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Matthew 15:1–20 (CSB)
1. Tradition or commitment
vss 1-6 Then Jesus was approached by Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, who asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “Why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition? 4 For God said: Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death. 5 But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or mother, “Whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift committed to the temple,” 6 he does not have to honor his father.’ In this way, you have nullified the word of God because of your tradition.
- A group of rules will never reflect the depth of your commitment
- This practice of handwashing was Rabbinic tradition going back to the further interpretations of the Mosaic law. Washing hands before eating was called the Netilat Yadayim.
- A deeper commitment to the rules than a commitment to God leads to disobedience
- In essence, focusing on the rules or traditions more than on Him is a violation of the 1st commandment
Exodus 20:1–6 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 3 Do not have other gods besides me. 4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
2. Truth or Show
vss 7-9 Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said: 8 This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 9 They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands.
- Far too many Christians are committed to the look of Christianity than they are the Lord of Christianity
- Jesus references Isaiah’s statement from Isaiah 29:13
- Warren Wiersbe writes, “It is a greater offense to teach anything contrary to the voice of the Rabbis, than to contradict Scripture itself,” says the Mishna (a collection of Jewish traditions). Rabbi Eleazer said, “He who expounds the Scriptures in opposition to the tradition has no share in the world to come.”[1]
- In the world or the world in you
vss 10-20 Summoning the crowd, he told them, “Listen and understand: 11 It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth—this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came up and told him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 Then Peter said, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 “Do you still lack understanding?” he asked. 17 “Don’t you realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander. 20 These are the things that defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.”
- The condition of the heart determines the commitment of your faith
- Proverbs 23:7 – “as a man thinks in his heart…”
- Putting on a good show is not the end goal of following Jesus, imitating Him is the goal
- Let God’s Word direct your thoughts and actions and convict you when sin enters
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 59.