Matthew 15:1-20
Today's Passage: Matthew 15:1-20
The Pharisees accuse the disciples of not obeying “the tradition of the elders”. You might ask, “What is the ‘Tradition of the Elders?’”
It goes back to Ezra and Nehemiah. They discovered the Law and started to explore all the ways the Law should be applied to specific situations. For instance, people were to wash their hands before eating. Notice, this is man’s law and not God’s Law. These teaching were compiled together in a book called the ‘Mishnah’.
These laws caused a lot of trouble, which is what Jesus points out in verses 4-6. God commanded Israel to ‘honor your father and mother’. In the Mishnah, one rule they allowed was that children did not have to provide for their parents. If a parent was in need and the child didn’t want to give it up, they could “dedicate” it to the Lord (thus keeping it for themselves). Basically, the ‘Tradition of the Elders’ began to trump God’s commands.
The Pharisees “kept the Law”. By outward appearance they seemed righteous, but inward they were greedy, prideful, and arrogant. It’s why Jesus said it’s not what goes in that defiles someone, but what comes out. Their actions may have looked righteous, but their hearts were far from loving God and allowing Him to lead. They followed human tradition more than God.
We can very easily get caught in the same trap – trying to please God with our actions when our heart is not first aligned. This is where we run into legalism. We try to earn God’s love when it is something He has freely given.
Is there any ‘tradition of the elders’ you feel like you might be trying to keep? How does the Gospel free you from falling into this trap?
Written By: Brice Stockton
The Pharisees accuse the disciples of not obeying “the tradition of the elders”. You might ask, “What is the ‘Tradition of the Elders?’”
It goes back to Ezra and Nehemiah. They discovered the Law and started to explore all the ways the Law should be applied to specific situations. For instance, people were to wash their hands before eating. Notice, this is man’s law and not God’s Law. These teaching were compiled together in a book called the ‘Mishnah’.
These laws caused a lot of trouble, which is what Jesus points out in verses 4-6. God commanded Israel to ‘honor your father and mother’. In the Mishnah, one rule they allowed was that children did not have to provide for their parents. If a parent was in need and the child didn’t want to give it up, they could “dedicate” it to the Lord (thus keeping it for themselves). Basically, the ‘Tradition of the Elders’ began to trump God’s commands.
The Pharisees “kept the Law”. By outward appearance they seemed righteous, but inward they were greedy, prideful, and arrogant. It’s why Jesus said it’s not what goes in that defiles someone, but what comes out. Their actions may have looked righteous, but their hearts were far from loving God and allowing Him to lead. They followed human tradition more than God.
We can very easily get caught in the same trap – trying to please God with our actions when our heart is not first aligned. This is where we run into legalism. We try to earn God’s love when it is something He has freely given.
Is there any ‘tradition of the elders’ you feel like you might be trying to keep? How does the Gospel free you from falling into this trap?
Written By: Brice Stockton
1 Comment
I have always loved this story. In my younger days , Christ's words made me smile, and then I more appreciated how practical God is! This morning this passage really cries out for a heart check! Where is my heart? As I "go through the motions" am I just checking it (prayer, Bible study, etc) off a list? Lord forgive me when I do that! I know I have. Thank you Jesus for your vast patience