Matthew 15:1-20 "TRADITION...tradition"

Matt 15:1-20 "TRADITION...tradition" Marc Transparenti The Grace of the King / Tradition / Matthew 15:1-20 Good morning Calvary Chapel Lake City! • Parents you may dismiss your kids. • If you don't have a Bible, please raise you hand and someone will bring one around. • Announcement: Church Potluck next Sunday...please join us and bring a dish or just come. Either way! We look forward to breaking bread together. • If you are new to Calvary Chapel... Welcome... I'm Pastor Marc...thanks for joining us today. Calvary Chapel is known for simply teaching the bible chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Please turn in your Bibles to Matthew Chapter 15. Last week we finished Matthew Chapter 14 where the disciples were led into a storm by Jesus...they found themselves right smack in the center of the Sea of Galilee in a violent storm...simultaneously right smack in the center of God's will. • After about 9 hours, they tortured by the rowing...and just when all hope was lost...Jesus came walking on the water. • The storm was terrifying...and the disciples were panicking, but the storm had purpose...to bring the disciples to a place where they understood who Jesus was...they professed, "Truly You are the Son of God!" And, their profession was joined with worship. • After Jesus got in the boat, the disciples were translated immediately from the middle of the sea to their destination- the land of Gennesaret, on the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee...where Jesus performed many miracles to people who recognize Him, and obviously want something from Him, but there is no note they worshipped Him...a contrast to the disciples. • After the healings at Gennesaret, Jesus returned to Capernaum, as seen in John 6:22-71. I encourage you to note that passage in John...write it down and read it later John 6:22-71. That is the passage where Jesus professes "I am the bread of life." A very rich passage, but a little too rich for many of Jesus' disciples for many of them turned away and followed Him no more when He spoke about eating His flesh and drinking His blood...what we understand now as communion, but for them it was "a hard saying." • We read in that passage..."Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." A marvelous confession. And, that brings us to our passage today. Interesting to me that Jesus and the disciples came out of a literal storm, and upon landing they were in one figurative storm after another. • But, we can see how the literal storm was perfecting and preparing the disciples for all the figurative storms...conflicts with people and the religious leaders. • And, the conflict today comes as the Pharisees accuse the disciple of transgressing the tradition of the elders. • I'm not sure about you, but when I think about Jews and tradition, my mind goes to the musical "Fiddler on the Roof." I was in that play in 5th or 6th grade...fond memories...nostalgic. Thematic throughout the play...the main character, Tevye, wrestles with his desire to maintain Jewish tradition as his daughters want to marry for love... • I love the line in the opening act where Tevye describes why the Jews cover their heads and wear prayer shawls...He says, 'it shows their constant devotion to God.' He says, 'you may ask, "How did this tradition get started?"' He replies, "I don't know." • And, that's the way it is so often with tradition...blind following the blind. • The title of today's sermon, in lieu of the topic, and maybe a little throwback to Fiddler...is "TRADITION...tradition." Don't worry...I'll stick to preaching and leave the singing to the worship team. Let's pray! Matt 15:1-2 "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." 1. These are the Big Wigs. Scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the Holy City...God's eternal city...the only city where the Jewish Temple could be and will be built. Jerusalem is the only city where sacrifices were permitted. a. So, this is kind of a big deal that these guys are here, but they come to confront Jesus. b. Was Paul amongst them? We don't know, but he was not yet saved and this was the group he associated with. Paul was a Pharisee. 2. Very interesting, in Mark's account...Mark gives much greater detail of the Jewish customs (which makes sense because his audience was the Romans and they needed more explanation not being familiar with Jewish customs). Where Matthew, who wrote to the Jews, knew his Jewish audience would understand the tradition just by mentioning it. a. Here are the details from Mark. Mark 7:2-4 "Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches." b. The Jewish thoughts on 'clean' and 'unclean' stem from various Old Testament laws, but they added a mile-wide hedge of protection around God's laws with their various traditions. 3. When the Pharisees confront the disciples, the confrontation centers on the observation that the disciples eat bread without washing their hands, but don't think this means they ate with dirty hands...hygiene was not the issue. a. The accusation is the disciples transgressed or knowingly broke the tradition of the elders, which seems to be true (notice Jesus does not deny the accusation). Their tradition was you had to wash you hands in a very specific ceremonial style. i. It was kind of like this...when washing you had to put your right hand in, and then your right hand out, and then your right hand in...and shake it all about. Wait...no that's not right...that's something else. ii. But, on YouTube...you can actually watch a traditional hand washing ceremony...I encourage you to do so...it will blow your mind. What really grabbed me was you have to keep your hands elevated after washing, pray, and they dry your hand. But, you can't have your hands down because once the water touches the wrist it is unclean, so if your hands are down, the unclean water will drip on your hands and then you would have to start all over. And, you definitely should not dry your hands before your pray...that's a big 'no no.' b. Sounds pretty ridiculous, and we can chuckle, but...truly...it's bondage. Man made rules that are not in the Scriptures. The Jews were and many still are in bondage by the traditions passed down from the Talmud and ancient religious authorities...oral traditions of men... not from God. 4. Thus, Jesus responds... Matt 15:3 "He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?" 1. This accusation was not just against the disciples, but also a subtle accusation against Jesus, since He is their leader, which places Him responsible either for permitting their behavior or for teaching them to be this way. a. Instead of answering the Pharisees' question directly, Jesus followed the flow of a typical Jewish debate by answering their question with a question. And, Jesus' question highlights a much larger issue. b. The Pharisees knowingly were violating God's law... "the commandment of God" in order to keep tradition. They elevated a tradition created by man over the commandment given by God. i. Sin is missing the mark. It's wrong, and you are accountable for sin, but you could sin unknowingly, or spontaneously. I don't intend to sin when I drive, but then someone comes flying up behind me and cuts me off...and I'm sure the thoughts I have certainly are not holy...it's sin. ii. But, transgression is rebellion. It's knowing the difference, and doing it anyway. That's what the Pharisees were doing, and Jesus calls them out. 1. The Pharisees were hypocrites for calling out the disciples for violating their Hokey Poky hand washing technique, even though it was not sin to break tradition (at least not in God's eyes)...but the Pharisees were guilty of actually breaking God's law...of transgressing His commandments. 2. And, Jesus exposes them... Matt 15:4-6 "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." 1. So, Jesus cites law, not tradition, 'Honor your father and mother' is the fifth commandment (Ex 20:12) and the penalty for cursing one's father or mother was death (Ex 21:17; Lev 20:9). So, that was the law. But, the Pharisees were skirting around the law to care for their parents with a tradition...which was pretty low. a. In those days, there were no assisted living facilities, 401k's, pensions, social security...the family was supposed to care for their elderly. i. To selfishly protect their personal property and not support their parents, the Pharisees had a tradition that they could dedicate their personal belongings to God, and when asked by their parents for support, they simply had to recite this saying, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" or as Mark 7:11 states, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"-' (that is, a gift to God)..." ii. By doing so, their tradition allowed them to not support...to not honor their father or mother. But, what did the God's commandment say...to 'Honor your father and your mother.' b. Further, it seems that Jesus is also suggesting that they should in effect be put to death as it seems they are also cursing their father and mother. This is heavy stuff. i. Keep in mind the Pharisees were coming against Jesus' disciples for violating tradition, but this was also a slight against Jesus as their leader. Well, Jesus gives it right back because how many in Israel were following the model of these Pharisees and dishonoring their parents to hold onto their material possessions? ii. Through these various traditions, the word of God was made "of no effect"...invalidated...or made void. Not in God's eyes, of course, but in their eyes. Though in their hearts they knew it was wrong...that is why Jesus accused them of transgression in V3. c. And, in these next verses Jesus really doesn't pull His punches... Matt 15:7-9 "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 [meaning 'no purpose'] they worship Me [if your heart is far from God, your worship has no purpose], Teaching as doctrines [doctrines are beliefs that are accepted and taught as authoritative...and what were the Pharisees teaching as doctrine?...] the commandments of men [traditions].' " 1. Jesus calls the Pharisees what they were... "Hypocrites." They were two-faced stage actors. Their words and actions were not in alignment. 2. And, to further the point, Jesus stated they were a fulfillment of prophecy. In Isaiah 29, God pronounces woes or judgments upon Ariel...the city where David dwelt, thus Ariel is another name for Jerusalem. a. God first pronounces a threat of siege...which was fulfilled by the Assyrian army who humbled the Jews... but they were not completely destroyed. b. The second judgment was against the spiritual leaders, the prophets and seers, who would not spiritually see, therefore God further blinded them so that they could not spiritually see. i. In the midst of that judgment is Isaiah 29:13...what Jesus quoted, which speaks broadly about all the people...let me read it again, this time from Isaiah: ii. Isaiah 29:13 "Inasmuch as these people [the people of Jerusalem] draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips [outward and external profession], But have removed their hearts far from Me [no internal worship], And their fear [or reverence] toward Me is taught by the commandment of men [traditions]." 1. So, that's what Jesus is accusing these Pharisees of...external profession, but no relationship or true internal reverence of God. It had all become an outward show and was grounded in their traditions. a. They taught the commandment of men (traditions) as doctrine. But then and now, the only true teaching was given by God...it's what we hold in our hands- the Bible. The Jews had the partial revelation...the Torah, the law. We have the full revelation...the Bible...the books...all of the Old and New Testament. 2. But, back in Jesus' day, and in certain denominations today...there are still people adding to the Bible...adding false teachings...and adding traditions...and this is wrong. a. God has been telling His people since the beginning to keep His word as He has given it. There is no need for man, who was created by God, to add to God's words. He is divine. How arrogant is it of man to think that they can improve upon God's word? i. Deut 4:2 "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." ii. Deut 12:32 "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." iii. Pro 30:6 "Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." iv. In Josh 1:7, as the Jews are about to enter the promised land, God explains why they are to keep God's word...to prosper...He promises a blessing for keeping His Scripture... "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go." 1. As the Israelites entered the promised land, they would be faced with all kinds of false worship and idols from the people of the land. They were going to the land of Canaan, in part, as God's vessel of judgment against these false teachings. a. But, they had to be careful not to stray off His path...not to be corrupted by false teachings...to turn from God's teachings...God said "do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left." Sadly, they did turn. 2. But, when they had God-fearing kings, they prospered, just as God promised. And, so it is true in our lives...as we follow God's word we realize spiritual prosperity...and often prosperity in many other realms as well. b. In the New Testament, Rev 22:18-19 soberly warns, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." i. Once, in an hour debate with a Mormon, I warned him about the fallacy of the Book of Mormon which adds to God's true word, and I cited Rev 22. He replied, that this warning only pertained to the book of Revelation ii. The problem with his rebuttal is that the themes of the book of Revelation are woven throughout scripture, so the warning applies not just to Revelation, but to the whole Bible. Also, we already read in Deuteronomy and Proverbs a general warning about tampering with God's word. Not the thing to do. 1. We don't need to turn to the right or the left...to stray and follow worldly philosophies or false religions...and we certainly should not add to nor take away from God's word. c. Paul instructed Timothy, in the positive, regarding Scripture...2 Tim 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [it's "God breathed"], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." i. The Bible is inspired by God and profitable...That's why we faithfully teach all of God's word...chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse, line-by-line, and precept-upon-precept. ii. Paul said to the Ephesian elders, "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." Ac 20:27 And, I will not shun to declare to you the whole counsel of God either. d. The Pharisees in Jesus' day were guilty of adding to God's word through their many traditions, and displaying an outward show of religiosity without having hearts that loved and revered God. i. In VSS 7-9 of Matthew 15, Jesus indicted the Pharisees of fulfilling Isa 29:13...listen to the following verse Isa 29:14 where the sentence is laid down... 1. Isa 29:14 "Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden." ii. Let it never be said of us that we fell into man-made traditions and legalistic rules. That we fell in love with our religion, and left our first-love...Jesus, and His teachings. The consequence is clear...wisdom perishes and understanding becomes hidden. 1. And, I don't know about you, but I've been in the dark spiritually, and God opened my eyes...I never want to go back to spiritual blindness. 3. In these next verses, Jesus now turns from addressing the Pharisees specifically (and notice they have no reply to Jesus' rebuke), and now Jesus addresses the people in general... Matt 15:10-11 "When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." 1. Jesus calls the multitude to Him and instructs them to "Hear and understand" a message very counter to what they had been taught from the Pharisees. The tradition of the Pharisees...even the very Levitical law taught that what went into a man DID defile that person. a. The word "defile" means 'to make common,' ceremonially unclean, or unholy. b. The law forbade eating certain animals considered unclean, but now Jesus is giving a New commandment, and He had the authority to do so since Jesus was the law-giver and originator of the law. c. Jesus' words were revolutionary...freeing. Essentially, external dietary restrictions were no longer prescribed because Jesus laid down a higher calling to internal holiness. Food did not defile a person, but their words, which reflected their hearts, that is what defiled. i. The ceremonial hand washing touted by the Pharisees missed the mark of what God really wanted...authenticity. ii. The Pharisees promoted minors and failed in majors. iii. Their failure to honor their parents defiled them, and they were found to be hypocrites for accusing the disciples when they had planks sticking out of their own eyes, and Jesus righteously called them out. Matt 15:12 "Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" 1. The hard words of Jesus left the disciples with concern because most people did not insult the Pharisees, so they pull Jesus aside to give Him some solid advice. Funny...advising God on what is best. a. If you ever find yourself advising God, just stop. The creator of the universe does not need our advice. 2. Jesus responds to them V13... Matt 15:13-14 "But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." 1. In V13, Jesus tells the state of the Pharisees...they were not planted by the Father...and in time they will be uprooted which speaks of judgment. a. Ps 92:13-14 speaks about the converse...about those who are planted by the Lord. "Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing..." b. What a beautiful reflection of the believer: planted by God...fresh, flourishing, and bearing fruit still in old age. 2. Jesus tells the disciples to "Let them alone"...to ignore the Pharisees. They are on their own path to destruction. They are blind leaders leading blind followers and in their spiritual blindness, they will fall...judgment is upon them. Matt 15:15-17 "Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us." [speaking about V11: "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."] 16 So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?" 1. Peter calls V11 a parable...Gk. root word paraballō meaning "to throw alongside." A parable takes one truth and compares it to another truth...a natural truth to a heavenly truth. 2. The disciples fail to grasp the truth of what Jesus is speaking, and He gives them a little rebuke for being dense. I always appreciate these moments with the disciples. Not only do we get further explanation from Jesus because of their question, but I can personally relate to the disciples as I was spiritually dense for many years. a. A life verse for me, and I'm sure many of the disciples (and perhaps some of you as well) is 1 Cor 1:26-29 "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence." 3. In grace, Jesus called the foolish things of the world to be His Ambassadors, and in grace He gives further explanation to His disciples in V17. a. Food enters the mouth, is digested in the stomach, and waste is eliminated. This is a purely physical act that is needed for survival, and does not defile a person. b. Mark 7:18-19 gives further explanation...Jesus said, "Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" c. Food does not enter the heart, it enters the stomach, therefore all foods are purified. So, don't feel guilty about eating shellfish, and bacon. If you are eating deep fried Twinkies, you probably should feel guilty, but for different reasons. i. But, anyone who tries to lay a religious trip on you about what foods are permitted biblically, they obviously don't understand the New Testament. ii. In 1 Cor 10:25-26 Paul wrote, "Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; 26 for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness." In Paul's day, there was a possibility that food sacrificed to idols was sold in the meat market, but this should not be a concern for the believer because everything is God's...the person who sacrificed to an idol was in sin, but the meat itself was just meat, and would not defile a person. 1. Sometimes we may buy food or a coffee from companies that are not the best organizations biblically speaking. Some of you may have a conviction not to buy from those companies, and that's fine. Other people don't have the same filter. And, both people should stick with their personal convictions...for that is biblical. iii. Paul wrote in Rom 14:14-15 "I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died." 1. The law of love supercedes the law of liberty. Stick with your convictions, but always err on the side of love. If your dietary freedoms cause harm to another believer, perhaps demonstrate restraint. 2. Rom 14:21, "It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak." 3. A good rule of thumb is, 'When in doubt, don't.' You have the freedom to say, 'yes,' but you also have the freedom to say, 'no.' a. For some of you, you can drink alcohol in freedom without crossing the line into drunkenness. Or eat ice cream without gluttony. Restriction of these freedoms would feel like bondage. This is your conviction. b. For other people, like me, there is no freedom in drinking...there is only bondage. Freedom comes from deliverance from drink. Now, I have no issue eating ice cream...bring it on! c. But, know yourself and know your convictions, exercise your freedoms, but always...always walk in love. Love God and the people around you more than your freedoms. 4. A person who puts freedom above love is in sin...they have a selfish and poor heart attitude and they defile themselves. And, Jesus is driving home a similar point to His disciples, that ritual cleansing of the hands and foods eaten are not defiling, but heart attitude of the Pharisees is a true defiling issue...they put the love of themselves ahead of their parents. Matt 15:18-20 "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies [Mark's list adds, "covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, pride, foolishness"]. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." 1. Jesus concludes His explanation that heart issues defile a person, not ceremonial traditions. 2. In Matt 12:34-35, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees with similar words, "For out of the abundance [or overflow] of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." a. Our mouths are just a reflection of what is happening in our hearts, and all kind of sinful feelings exist in our hearts...at times we say things that do not reflect love for God or other people. Most of us can look at that list and find ourselves at fault of some or all of those sins. i. Jer 17:9 states "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" b. Now God does not call us to be perfect, but He does call us to be repentant. i. David understood this. After his sin with Bathsheba, David wrote Ps 51...verses 10-12 read, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit." 1. Create: bā·rā- create, i.e., make something that has not been in existence before; to create something from nothing (same as Gen 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."). 2. David asks God to create in him a clean heart. Never before has his heart been clean. In Ps 51:5 David stated, "I was brought forth in iniquity." He is asking for a divine re-birth of his heart. a. There may be someone here today who desires that divine re-birth...that divine cleansing of the heart. 3. And, in this passage today, that is our key application. We need not get caught up in getting stressed out about religion and man-made traditions, but we need to heed Jesus' words about what is going on inside of us. In our heart...at our core...is there holiness or rottenness? And, if you are not sure...what is coming out of your mouth...that is the reflection of your heart. a. And, Jesus can turn the rotten pure...it starts with just saying "yes...I believe you are my God and Savior Jesus" and then He will continue to change your heart in time... sanctification. b. Create in me a clean heart. And, all God's people said, "Amen!" Yes Lord Jesus! Worship team come. God is calling all of us to be authentic Christians. To honor Him with our lips and our hearts. To worship Him in truth and to teach His commandments. Go and do those things this week, and pray for forgiveness when you falter. God loves our honesty and He hears our cries. We are all a work in progress, and God loves us all the same. Let's pray! Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:03 AM June 8, 2021.