Teaching on Justice - Matthew 15:1-9
Observation:
[CONTROVERSY]
1. The scribes and Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by saying he didn't keep a tradition.
2. A tradition are practices or customs handed down from one generation to another.
3. The tradition they broke was that the disciples didn't wash their hands before eating.
4. In Parallel passage (Mark 7), we learn that the Pharisees made sure that they underwent ritual purification when they came from the marketplace (vs. 4). Being in close proximity to Gentiles and less scrupulous Jews were seen as making ritual contamination likely.
[CONTRADICTION]
5. Jesus responded by questioning their failure to keep a commandement
Note: by doing this, he was NOT trying to avoid their question but reveal their own hypocrisy.
6. The scribes had just accused Jesus' disciples of failing to keep a human tradition; He accused them of disobeying God.
Note: Jesus often used God's words to defeat satan (Luke 4:1-13). In this case as well, Jesus chose to quote the bible.
Supporting scripture: II Timothy 3:16
2 Timothy 3:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
7. (Exod. 20:12; Deut. 5:16) - To honor parents was not just to pay them respect but to aid them in time of need, especially in old age.
Scripture: Matthew 15:1-9 (MSG) - Lesson
What Pollutes Your Life
15 1-2 After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, “Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?”
3-9 But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God clearly says, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel around that by saying, ‘Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I’ve given to God.’ That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:
These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshiping me,
but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”
Supporting Scripture:
2 Timothy 3:15-17; Exod. 20:12; Deut. 5:16
a. 2 Tim. 3:15 - Since scripture is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction [and] for instruction in righteousness"
b. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Message (MSG)
14-17 But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
c. Exodus 20:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
d. Deut. 5:16
Deuteronomy 5:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
to be continued...
