Dangerous Traditions… vs. 1-9

• 1^st – Washing hands… vs. 1-2
  • Another Question… vs. 1
    • Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus saying:
    • The SPREAD of the reputation of Jesus – from Capernaum [west] to the Decapolis [east]
    • Was concerning to LEADERS in Jerusalem – His fame was NOT dying down…
    • So they sent more SCRIBES and PHARISEES to interrogate Him…
    • They had already asked WHY Jesus ate with SINNERS – Matthew 9:11
    • And had ACCUSED His DISCIPLES breaking the Sabbath – Matthew 12:2
    • Then they had DEMANDED Jesus show them a SIGN – Matthew 12:38
    • Now a FOURTH time they were going to attack Him – regarding their TRADITIONS!
  • Tradition… vs. 2
    • Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? 
    • For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread!
    • The PHARISEES wanted to know why the DISCIPLES of Jesus ignored their TRADITION…
    • TRADITION [παράδοσις] – RULES that had been PASSED [δίδωμι] down from the ELDERS…
    • The RULE was they needed to WASH their hands before they EAT!
    • They were NOT challenging Jesus about HYGIENE [good to wash before we eat]
    • This was about the Jewish TRADITION called [נטילת ידיים‎] – netilat yadayim
    • It is an elaborate ceremonial TRIPLE washing based in centuries of TRADITION…
    • Followed by a specific PRAYER: [בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ]
    • Blessed are you Lord our God – King of the universe – who gives us the bread of the earth!
    • We have a very similar TRADITION to pray BEFORE we eat a meal…
    • As if somehow the MEAL will be blessed [less calories] if we FIRST give thanks for it…
    • And if someone EATS before they PRAY – it means they are a HEATHEN [unbeliever]
    • Yet the Bible says the OPPOSITE – we are to pray AFTER we eat – Deuteronomy 8:10
    • So that when we are FULL – we do NOT forget about the LORD!
  • Helpful or harmful…
    • PHARISEES would wash EVERY time they came from the Market – lots of UNCLEAN people…
    • They would WASH [netilat yadayim] – EVERY time they ate a snack…
    • And they had been doing this for GENERATIONS – making it IMPORTANT to them…
    • Therefore – why did the disciples NOT follow their TRADITIONS!
    • From how we CELEBRATE: birthdays [get gifts or pay for everyone] – weddings – funerals…
    • To what we BELIEVE in: Santa Clause – the Tooth Fairy – the Easter bunny…
    • How we WORSHIP: what we wear [suits] – how we sing [hymns] – when we meet [Sunday]
    • Even what to FEAR: throwing salt to keep away aswang… 
    • We follow lots of TRADITIONS – they dominate our DAILY lives!
    • The PROBLEM comes – when we FEAR traditions more than we FEAR God…
    • The PROBLEM comes – when put our TRUST in our traditions rather than God…
    • The PROBLEM comes – when our traditions CONTRADICT the Word of God!
• 2^nd – Rejecting the Word… vs. 3-6
  • The Priority… vs. 3
    • [Jesus] answered and said to them:
    • Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition!
    • Jesus was QUICK to turn their question back on them…
    • Why did they IGNORE the COMMAND [ἐντολή] of God because of their TRADITION!
    • When we were in the BUKID – there were a LOT of unmarried couples…
    • When we asked them WHY they would NOT get married…
    • The answer was always because they could NOT afford to FEED the whole barangay!
    • The PROBLEM – they were more concerned about the TRADITION of men [lechon]
    • Then they were about following the command of God – Romans 13:1
  • The Commands… vs. 4
    • For God commanded saying: Honor your father and your mother. 
    • And: He who curses father or mother let him be put to death!
    • Jesus gave the PHARISEES two COMMANDS [ἐντολή] from the LAW…
    • From the TEN commandments – HONOR [imperative] your parents – Exodus 20:12
    • And the penalty for DISHONORING [cursing] them – was death – Exodus 21:17
    • The question becomes what does it mean to HONOR them…
    • When we are YOUNG – we are to OBEY our parents [in the Lord] – Ephesians 6:1
    • But when we are OLD – we are to take CARE of our parents!
    • I Timothy 5:8 – “If anyone does not provide… for those of his household – he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
    • People who do NOT know Jesus take care of their aging parents…
    • How much MORE should we who are believers take care of our Dad and Moms…
    • If we IGNORE our parents – what kind of witness to the world can we be…
    • We cannot say we have NO money – because God will PROVIDE for our needs – Matthew 6:33
    • We cannot say they do NOT deserve it – God is the one who commands us to help…
    • Bottom line – as believers in Jesus we MUST take care of our parents!
  • The Contradiction… vs. 5-6
    • But you say: Whoever says to his father or mother…
    • Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God.
    • Then he need not honor his father or mother!
    • Although the WORD of God was VERY clear on the need to HONOR our parents…
    • The PHARISEES said – people did NOT have to HELP them…
    • If they took their GIFT [δῶρον] – and instead gave it to the PHARISEES [church]
    • Then they no longer had ANY [οὐ μὴ subjunctive] responsibility for their parents!
    • One of the favorite verses of pastors – will a man ROB God – Malachi 3:8
    • Used as a guilt trip to force people to give money to the church [pastor]
    • But bending the WORD of God for FINANCIAL gain is nothing new…
    • Religious leaders have been doing this since the time of the New Testament!
  • The Rejection… vs. 6
    • Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition!
    • Through their TRADITION – the PHARISEES had done TWO things…
    • FRIST – they had REJECTED the COMMAND [ἐντολή] of God…
    • SECOND – they had REJECTED the God who gave the command…
    • NO effect [ἀκυρόω] – to REJECT [ἀ] the Lord [κύριος]!
    • Jesus is the Word [λόγος] of God – John 1:1
    • Meaning – if we REJECT the WORD – we REJECT the Lord [κύριος]
    • We cannot follow the TRADITIONS of men – and IGNORE the Bible…
    • We cannot say that we believe in God – then disobey what He says!
    • John 14:15 – “If you love Me keep My commandments.”
• 3^rd – Doctrines of men… vs. 7-9
  • Hypocrites… vs. 7-8
    • Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you saying:
    • These people draw near to Me with their mouth – and honor Me with their lips.
    • But their heart is far from Me!
    • Isaiah had given a good [καλῶς] warning about the PHARISEES- Isaiah 29:13
    • Because although their WORDS [lips and mouth] gave HONOR [τιμάω] to God…
    • Their HEARTS [καρδία] were FAR from the Lord…
    • Making them HYPOCRITES [ὑποκριτής] – to be TWO faced!
    • II Peter 2:1 – “There will be false teachers… [who] will exploit you with deceptive words.”
    • The BIBLE warns us – we need to be VERY careful who we follow…
    • There are FALSE teachers – HYPOCRITES – who may have all the right WORDS…
    • But their MOTIVE [heart] is FAR from the Lord…
    • They are out to TAKE from people – not give them the TRUTH!
    • Ezekiel 34:2 – “Woe to [pastors] who feed themselves! Should not a [pastor] feed the sheep!”
  • Empty worship… vs. 9
    • In vain they worship Me – teaching as doctrines the commandments of men!
    • The PHARISEES were NOT putting the Word of God FIRST…
    • They were TEACHING the TRADITIONS of men ABOVE the word…
    • Because their WORSHIP [σέβω] – used to describe RELIGION [empty worship]
    • Was VAIN [μάτην] – meant to MANIPULATE of others!
    • There is a LOT of MANIPULATION – a LOT of RELIGION – in the church today…
    • Denominational churches – often elevate TRADITION above the Word…
    • Charismatic churches – often elevate EMOTION above the Word…
    • Reformed churches – often elevate INTELLECT above the Word!
    • Yet ANYTIME someone puts ANYTHING above the Word it is dangerous…
    • Because EMOTIONS can be deceiving – TRADITIONS can be wrong…
    • And we are NOT as smart [intellect] as God – Isaiah 55:8
    • Therefore we do NOT listen to the IDEAS of men – we go back to the TRUTH – John 14:6
    • Because if put our trust in RELIGION [empty worship] – we are NOT following Jesus!
    • Galatians 1:10 – “If I still pleased men – I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
      

• 2^nd – From the Heart… vs. 10-20
  • 1^st – Answering the question… vs. 10-11
    • When He had called the multitude to Himself He said to them – Hear and understand:
    • Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man – but what comes out of the mouth defiles a man!
    • Having EXPOSED the SCRIBES and PHARISEES as HYPOCRITES…
    • Jesus turned to the CROWD – and told them to LISTEN [imperative] and UNDERSTAND [συνίημι]
    • Answering the original QUESTION – do they need to WASH their hands – Matthew 15:1
    • It is NOT what does INTO the mouth that DEFILES a person – it is what come OUT…
    • DEFILE [κοινόω] – to be ordinary – in contrast to being HOLY [ἅγιος]!
    • Jesus is NOT giving HYGIENE advice – He is giving a SPIRITUAL truth…
    • We are NOT set apart for God [holy] because of what we EAT!
  • 2^nd – Blind Leaders… vs. 12-14
    • Offended… vs. 12
      • Then His disciples came and said to Him:
      • You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying!
      • Having EXPOSED the PHARISEES – and taught he CROWD…
      • It was the DISCIPLES turn to come and question Jesus…
      • Because He had UPSET [σκανδαλίζω] the PHARISEES with what He said…
      • This was NOT question – is was a STATEMENT of fact [indicative]!
    • Uprooted… vs. 13
      • But He answered and said:
      • Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted!
      • Jesus was INTENTIONAL in His words – they were MEANT to offend…
      • Because NOT everyone PLANTED in the church – was PLANTED by the Father…
      • There are TARES in the church – planted by the ENEMY – Matthew 13:25
      • And they need [future] to be UPROOTED [ἐκριζόω] so they cannot influence others!
      • Jude 1:12 – “They are shameless shepherds who care only for themselves… they bear no fruit and have been [aorist] pulled up [ἐκριζόω] by the roots.” [NLT]
      • We are called to be BOLD when it comes to defending the TRUTH…
      • We are NOT to be SHY in exposing FALSE teachers…
      • Because if we do NOT speak up – others might be STUMBLED by their words!
    • Do not follow… vs. 14
      • Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. 
      • And if the blind leads the blind – both will fall into a ditch!
      • The command [imperative] was simple – WALK away from them…
      • Because they are BLIND leaders – leading other BLIND people…
      • And if the BLIND – lead others who are BLIND – both will fall into the PIT!
      • We would never ask someone for DIRECTIONS…
      • If the person we are asking had NEVER been to the place we want to go…
      • Yet people look to MEN for DIRECTIONS on how to get to HEAVEN [never been]
      • Is it not wonder that they do NOT make it – instead they end up in the PIT [hell]!
      • Matthew 23:15 – “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one [convert] – and when he is won – you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves… [you] blind guides!”
  • 3^rd – Blind Disciples… vs. 15
    • Then Peter answered and said to Him: Explain this parable to us!
    • The DISCIPLES were also STUMBLED by what Jesus had said…
    • And Peter [walk on water] jumped up and demanded [imperative] an explanation…
    • Because Peter thought this was a PARABLE – like with the wheat and tares – Matthew 13:36
    • He thought that – because it was DIFFERENT from what he had been taught his whole life…
    • The Jews had extensive TRADITIONS and RULES about what God permits men to eat…
    • The idea that we can eat ANYTHING – was too radical to accept!
    • We have been taught our whole life that MONEY is the answer…
    • And we spend our WHOLE life [education – full time job] trying to get enough of it…
    • But it turns out MONEY is just a piece of paper with colorful ink on it – Isaiah 44:19
    • The only one who can PROVIDE – give us a BLESSED life – is God – Matthew 6:33
    • When the Bible CONTRADICTS what we have been taught our whole life – it STUMBLES us…
    • We tend to think it must be a PARABLE – not something LITERAL…
    • Certainly God does NOT just provide – maybe He uses our education and hard work…
    • But if the LORD can rain MANA [מָן] from heaven – He does NOT need our help…
    • It is not hard to understand what the Word says – it is just hard for us to accept!
  • 4^th – Unclean… vs. 16-20
    • Understand… vs. 16
      • So Jesus said: Are you also still without understanding?
      • Jesus challenged Peter – he had been with the Lord for several YEARS…
      • And he still [ἀκμήν] did NOT understand [indicative] it was NOT about FOOD!
      • This was a very HARD lesson for Peter to grasp…
      • When God gave him a VISION of unclean animals and commanded him to EAT…
      • He told the Lord [κύριος] – NO – he would not eat anything UNCLEAN [κοινόω] – Acts 10:14
      • Part of growing in Jesus – in UNLEARNING all the LIES we have been told for years…
      • Because what the WORLD says is the exact OPPOSITE of what the WORD says…
      • The WORLD says to seek riches – the WORD says to be content – Hebrews 13:5
      • The WORLD says to focus on yourself – the WORD says to die to ourselves – Luke 9:23
      • The WORLD says to be strong – the WORD says we need to be weak – II Corinthians 12:9
    • Not what goes in… Vs. 17-18
      • Do you not understand whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
      • Understand [νοέω] – stop and THINK about this [use our brain]
      • ANYTHING [πᾶς] we eat – goes into our BELLY – then out into the TOILET…
      • Therefore it does NOT matter what we EAT – it has no effect on us SPIRITUALLY!
      • What is allowed to be eaten – if it moves – we can eat it…
      • We are NOT less HOLY if we eat blood [dinuguan] – pork [lechon] – or shrimp…
      • There is nothing that is forbidden to eat – it is all good – it is all FOOD!
      • I Timothy 4:4 – “For every creature of God is good – and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving!”
    • What comes out… vs. 18
      • Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart – and they defile a man!
      • In CONTRAST – what comes out of the MOUTH – is out of the HEART…
      • That has the ability to DEFILE [κοινόω] – keep someone from being HOLY!
      • We cannot see the HEART – we do NOT know the MOTIVE…
      • But what we can see if what they SAY – their mouth is a window into their soul!
      • Matthew 12:35 – “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
    • Six Examples… vs. 19
      • For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts!
      • Evil thoughts – to continually have [present] a corrupt [πονηρός] mind!
      • This is the source for EVERYTHING else that follows…
      • Because the battle for our ACTIONS begins in our MIND – James 1:15
      • Murders [φόνος] – to kill or have HATRED [unforgiveness] towards someone…
      • Adulteries [μοιχεία] – any sexual relationship OUTSIDE of marriage…
      • Fornications [πορνεία] – were we get the word PORNOGRAPHY [lust]
      • Thief [κλοπή] – not CONTENT and with what we have – so we STEAL from others…
      • False witness [ψευδομαρτυρία] – liar who does NOT tell the truth…
      • Blasphemies [βλασφημία] – using hurtful words – cursing!
      • This list is NOT the problem – it is the EVIDENCE that there is a PROBLEM in the heart…
      • Because those who DO [present] these things – are NOT saved!
      • Galatians 5:19-21 – “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
    • Defiled and Unholy… vs. 20
      • These are the things which defile a man – but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile!
      • This is [present] what makes a person UNCLEAN [κοινόω]
      • Those who have [present] unrepentant SIN coming from their HEART…
      • Show that they do NOT know the Lord – and therefore are NOT holy [ἅγιος]!
      • Being used by God – is NOT about us following RULES…
      • It has NOTHING to do with what we EAT – it is all about the HEART…
      • What makes us HOLY – is a heart that is FORGIVEN – are PURE before the Lord!