Jesus said it’s what’s in the heart that counts. Our mouths, without fail, reveal what’s in our hearts.
15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law (Lawyers) came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!’ Matthew 15
The religious came from Jerusalem to challenge Jesus about His disciples failing to observe certain ‘traditions’. (They didn’t really care about the disciples, they were attacking Jesus. People who attack Believers are often attacking the Lord.) They judged outward actions; religion loves to judge!
The Lord countered by telling them a couple of areas where they’d got it wrong.
3 Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For GOD SAID, “Honour your father and mother” and “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” 5 But YOU SAY that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is “devoted to God,” 6 they are not to “honour their father or mother” with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Jesus condemned the religious for putting their traditions before God’s Word. (Every denomination is a result of a revelation. Robin D Bullock) It’s also said that the last move of God is the one that opposes the latest move of God.
Jesus then quoted Isaiah the prophet;
7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you (hundreds of years before):
8 ‘“These people honour me WITH THEIR LIPS (Paying Lip Service),
but THEIR HEARTS ARE FAR FROM ME.
9 THEY WORSHIP ME IN VAIN;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.”’
It’s very possible for us to be saying one thing with our mouths, but for our hearts to be set on something else – an idol. Jesus called them hypocrites.
10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND. 11 What goes into a man’s mouth does not defile him, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what defiles him.’
Jesus wanted the people to know and understand that washing of hands was not the issue, but the Cleanness of Heart was.
He further expounded the lesson to His disciples when they asked Him to explain. Firstly, forget about the Pharisees and Lawyers;
13 He replied, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 LEAVE THEM; THEY ARE BLIND GUIDES. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.’ (The religious people who were guiding the Jewish Nation were blind! They were unaware of their own Messiah)
16 ‘Are you still so dull?’ Jesus asked them. 17 ‘Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 BUT THE THINGS THAT COME OUT OF THE MOUTH COME FROM THE HEART, AND THESE DEFILE THEM. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.’
Jesus answered the question of the Pharisees, addressed the crowd and finally gave His disciples a fuller explanation – holiness is from within. (Jesus was willing to take time and answer His disciples questions, He’s still the same for His children now.)
God bless and keep you today.