Matthew 15
Tony Pearce speaks on Matthew 15.1-20, Isaiah 29.9-14.
- Tradition versus God’s commandment – Jesus’ dispute with the Pharisees.
- The sealed book and the commandments of men – origin of Jewish Talmudic teaching.
- Jesus’ rejection of Pharisaic legalism. Freedom to worship God in spirit and truth
- Where does defilement come from? The sin issue – religion versus the Gospel.
- The Gospel as an offence, especially to religious people.
“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honour your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 6 then he need not honour his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honour Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” Matthew 15.3-9