October 31, 2019

Worn Shoes, Wrinkled Shirt, No Problem! Let's Think Critically and Scripturally About Traditions.

Matthew 15

Tate Stewart
Thursday's Devo

October 31, 2019

Thursday's Devo

October 31, 2019

Central Truth

While it's not easy, reviewing and revisiting the teachings and traditions we learn in church is an important discipline that can help us to better understand the truths in God's Word. It also might let you get away with wearing cargo shorts and tube socks on Sundays!

Key Verse | Matthew 15:3, 6

He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? . . . So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God."

Matthew 15

Traditions and Commandments

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 1 15:5 Or is an offering he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word 2 15:6 Some manuscripts law of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;

in vain do they worship me,
    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

What Defiles a Person

10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. 3 15:14 Some manuscripts add of the blind And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 4 15:17 Greek is expelled into the latrine 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. 5 15:28 Greek from that hour

Jesus Heals Many

29 Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30 And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, 31 so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 33 And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.

Footnotes

[1] 15:5 Or is an offering
[2] 15:6 Some manuscripts law
[3] 15:14 Some manuscripts add of the blind
[4] 15:17 Greek is expelled into the latrine
[5] 15:28 Greek from that hour

Dive Deeper | Matthew 15

As a wee lad, I insisted there was no need to dress up for Sunday School. Had I been more gifted in the art of argument, I might have thrown in, "Will God love me less if I wear jean shorts and a Bugle Boy t-shirt?" Despite my best efforts, most Sundays resulted in my family showing up late to church, with me rocking the bow tie and loafers. At least I got called handsome by the sweet old ladies!

Traditions in the church (read: religion) can be tricky. Should we adhere to every tradition that we're taught without considering what God's Word says about them? Of course not! In Matthew 15, the Pharisees scolded Jesus when his disciples didn't wash their hands before eating, as was custom among the religious elite. Jesus points out that some of the traditions of the Pharisees were in direct opposition to God's commandments (Matthew 15:3-7). He even says that the Pharisees' fear of God is based on a commandment of men, not the Lord's (Isaiah 29:13).

Jesus' words should move us to think critically about what we're taught in church and why we uphold certain traditions (Proverbs 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). The discipline of taking notes during sermons and other teachings—referencing them against Scripture and discussing them with community—is particularly challenging for me, but so rewarding. Yes, you really should reread the notes you take on Sunday!

Now, traditions can teach us practically to be obedient (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Consider the greeting time at the beginning of the church service (or, as this introvert calls it, "smile and make eye contact" time). This practice draws us together as a church body and gives us opportunities to welcome those who may not know of the grace of Jesus Christ (Romans 15:7). But let's remember to review and test the teachings we receive by referencing the Bible and discussing different perspectives and takeaways with others within our communities. Maybe this week that looks like examining the merits of going to church in flip-flops and Star Wars tees!

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever questioned a tradition within the church that you grew up in? What did you learn from Scripture about why you practiced it?

2. Do you take notes during the sermons or classes you attend? If so, do you review those notes afterward with others while referencing the Bible?

3. What's a tradition you practice that you believe helps you to live according to God's will? Are you able to articulate why that tradition is glorifying to God and good for you?

4. If you are not a part of a community group with which you can discuss these things, I encourage you to refer to Scripture and begin looking for a community of believers to jump into and do life with (1 John 1:7; Galatians 6:2; Proverbs 27:17).