Matthew 15 An argument with the Scribes – Teachers and traditions

TRADITION AND THE HEART

[“The Mouth and the Heart”]
(Key Word: Traditions)

In the 15th chapter of Matthew we do find Pharisees and teachers of the law [scribes] who asked Jesus

“Why don’t your ·followers [disciples] obey the ·unwritten laws which have been handed down to us [traditions of the elders]?

When Jesus replies them he demands them why they do not obey God. Regularly Jesus is challenging the religious elites and leaders of his time here on earth. In certain countries they like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues or churches and the places of honour at banquets. Lots of them got accustomed to the praises of men, but at the same time had their passions for God cooled. By many we can see that even their knowledge of the Scriptures became self-serving. Also today we might see many who love to show that they have a high position or may say what others have to do or may not do.

Also today we find certain people who want to use their position to control people or others who keep to certain traditions but do not follow the Law of God. For Jesus it is clear that it is not what people put into their mouths [goes into the mouth] that makes them unclean [pollutes/defiles the person], but it is what comes out of their mouths that makes them unclean or pollutes/defiles the person.

For us today it is not bad to remember that Jesus in the beginning of our common era told his disciples to stay away from the Pharisees. We to should leave certain so called “theologians” aside or should ignore those who say what we have to do, but do not keep to it themselves. A nice example can be found in the Catholic Church were clerics told the people that they should behave themselves, whilst they misused children. Spiritual abuse or manipulation was and is for certain religious leaders their preferred tool. In many of the main churches we also see that their leaders or preachers are blind leaders or guides, like those Pharisees, who are called hypocrites by Jesus. We should know that if a blind person leads [guides] a blind person, both will fall into a ·ditch [pit; hole].

Today there are also lots of people who preach Christians do have not to do any works any more because they are saved. Though the master teacher Jeshua (Jesus) learns us that we should be very careful how we behave or what we do and what we say.

Out of the mind [heart] come evil thoughts [intentions; ideas], murder, adultery, sins, stealing, lying [false witness/testimony], and speaking evil of others [slander; blasphemy]. {Matthew 15:19}

We should remember that it are these things which make people unclean [polluted; defiled].

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Preceding

Matthew 14:35-36 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: If They Might Just Touch Him

Matthew 9:18-26 – What others say about Jesus knowing how to care for people

Matthew 9:32-34 – How others look at the blind, speechless and demoniac being healed

Object of first woe

Next: Matthew 15:1-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Tradition and the Heart

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Additional reading

1. Not making yourselves abominable
2. Memorizing wonderfully 61 – 1 Corinthians 6:9 Unrighteous shall not inherit
3. When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith
4. Male domination and tyranny giving opportunities to defile the Name of God
5. Responsibility for children who were molested by clergy
6. Manifests for believers #1 Sex abuse setting fire to the powder
7. Manifests for believers #2 Changing celibacy requirement
8. Six Reasons Young Christians Leave Church
9. Move ahead with the commitment against child sex abuse says Pope Francis I
10. Pope Benedict will hide
11. The Field is the World #4 Many who leave the church
12. Catholic church asking for forgiveness and promising to take action against child-abusers

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7. The argument with the Scribes (Mk 9:14-9:14)
8. Blind Guides
9. “Watch out for the religion scholars.” ~Jesus
10. Jesus asks the Pharisees a question (Mt 22:41-22:41)
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15. Call no one profane or unclean
16. Unclean
17. Five Frequently Asked Questions About Religious Spiritual Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse
18. Domestic and Sexual Violence in the Church: A Sisterhood Reality Show Review