Matthew 15:1-21

Uprooted

Matthew 15:1–21 NKJV

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

Purity - Clean Hands

The question before Jesus

Matthew 15:1–2 NKJV

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

We know Jesus mission was to proclaim the kingdom of God on earth.

The washing of hands was done as a sign of purity and obedience according to their traditions based off the teaching in the old testament.

The new covenant isn’a about exterior cleanliness but inner purity.

The values have switched and the the traditions have been uprooted. Their value now is only symbolic

Summary: Jesus confronts the Pharisees about the importance of inner purity over external traditions. He emphasizes that true defilement comes from the heart and not from what enters it.

Are we honoring God with our our hearts or with our traditions?

Application: This message encourages believers to evaluate their own faith practices and discern whether they are honoring God with their hearts rather than simply adhering to human traditions. It can help Christians navigate the struggle between cultural expectations and genuine faith.

Matthew 15:3–6 NKJV

He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that faith is not merely about following religious traditions but about having a pure heart aligned with God's will. It calls for self-examination of one’s inner motives and intentions.

In response Jesus exposes their inner hearts towards their elderly parents. bringing the ‘law of God” into context and showing them that Jesus came to fulfill the law not abolish it.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the fulfillment of the law, emphasizing that He came to transform hearts rather than simply reinforce external compliance. He is the source of true purity and moral integrity.

Big Idea: Genuine faith arises from a transformed heart that values one's relationship with God over mere adherence to tradition.

now Jesus recalls what the prophet Isaiah said

Matthew 15:7–11 NKJV

Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

Now Jesus confronts their worship. And their approach to God. its called lip service

But the reality of their hearts was far from God.

1. God's Commandments in Context

challenge the congregation to identify traditions in their own lives that might overshadow genuine faith. This highlights the importance of aligning one's life with God's will rather than conforming to societal norms.

2. Pursue Heartfelt Worship

Use this as a moment to question the congregation about areas in their own lives where they may be professing faith outwardly but lacking inward transformation. Emphasize the need to truly seek God with sincerity and honesty, ensuring that their worship is heartfelt and not superficial.

3. Purity From Within

Share how Jesus' teaching encourages introspection of our own hearts, prompting us to clean from within more than obsessing over external piety. This point stresses the centrality of inner change over outward appearance, inviting believers to cultivate a heart that reflects Christ's love and purity.

4. Heart Transformation Through Christ

Encourage listeners by suggesting that they need to allow Jesus to transform their hearts to avoid sin. Highlight that true discipleship involves a heart changed by Christ, contrasting with mere observance of religious rituals. This serves to underscore the big idea — that a transformed heart is central to genuine faith.

Matthew 15:12–20 NKJV

Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”