Tradition! Pt 2

Matthew 15:1-20

By way of introduction: lets read vv1-9 of what we covered last week. Jesus addresses the S&P. A reminder we see nearly the same occurence in Mark 7:1-23 with few differences, like using the word, “Corban” Gift of God also, more evil stuffs lol. Mark 7:21–22  NKJV  it adds: “covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, pride, foolishness.”

Matthew 15:1–20  NKJV  “ Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?

4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.

7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

Is living the life of a believer dreadfully important? Yes, loving God Christ says, looks like obedience. But its not the obedience that equals salvation.

Thats fruit. And we can only experience that, through the changing of our hearts. That we would be a new creation, like adam, the dirt boy become Image Bearer of God, of which we are. Corrupt showers of His mercy, grace, peace. But we kept dropping it, until Jesus… 2 Corinthians 5:17  NKJV  “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things (old man/flesh) have passed away; behold, all things have become new (new man/spirit).” Are you dead to this world? Crucified and raised up? Born again of the Spirit? Jesus continues -

Matthew 15:10–20 (NKJV)

Mt 15:10  When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 

Mt 15:11  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 

Notice he tells who? The multitude whom the pharisees hold great sway over - some pharisees afraid of a little dirt that might have come off gentiles.

Titus 1:15  NKJV  “ To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.”

Mt 15:12  Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 

Mt 15:13  But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 

He said in Isaiah 60:21  NKJV  “ Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.” John 15:2  NKJV  “ Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Mt 15:14  Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” our decisions can have a huge impact on our eternity.

Mt 15:15  Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” 

Still it seems in the minds of men, that those that seem the most holy are the closest to God. But the heart, oh the heart.

Mt 15:16  So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 

Mt 15:17  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 

Again, the requirement for washing of hands for dinner was it from moses? the law? no. it was from muter.

Mt 15:18  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 

Mt 15:19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. (we don’t need the greek of this, its plain)

Mt 15:20  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Its all a heart issue Proverbs 6:14  NKJV  “ Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.” Lets look at some of these defilers

Evil thoughts. Jesus covered this with the hating your neighbor, we also read Jeremiah 4:14  NKJV  “ O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, That you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?” These thoughts lead to the rest. But it all begins in the heart.

Murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies - let me ask you this,

if you were to obey just the golden rule, would this happen? Matthew 7:12  NKJV  “ Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Romans 13:10  NKJV  “ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” James 2:8  NKJV  “ If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;”

Go back to the beginning of the chapter. Men created commandments for commandments. Many churches won’t allow their members to dance, women to wear pants, or men to have long hair.

To avoid sin we create rules and then tradition establishes and it becomes equal to sin. And it can be a fine line.

I personally avoid alcohol because I see how the abuse of it destroys people and families. We also minister to those who struggle with addiction. So I would avoid as I can. But never teach others that they cant. However, if I’m not careful what I perceive to be a good thing can become bad if I go beyond the Word of God.

In closing: So what am I to do? With my wicked heart. How do I cope with what I see is nothing but failure? Look to Jesus. Charles Spurgeon said, don't come with self important pride, but come to give it all. Spurgeon said the following;

If you cannot come with a broken heart, come for a broken heart. If you cannot come with faith, come for faith. If you cannot come repenting, come and ask the Lord to give you repentance. Come empty-handed, bankrupt, ruined, condemned, and you will find rest. —

Charles Spurgeon

So I invite you. Come. Come believe, come receive, come. Come just as you are, and He will change you forever.