Scripture Reading:
Matthew 15:1–9
Key Verse:
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9
What does this passage teach us?
Verses 1–9. We have in these verses a conversation between our Lord Jesus Christ, and certain Scribes and Pharisees. The subject of it may seem, at first sight, of little interest in modern days. But it is not so in reality. The principles of the Pharisees are principles that never die. There are truths laid down here, which are of deep importance.
We learn, for one thing, that hypocrites generally attach great importance to mere outward things in religion.
The complaint of the Scribes and Pharisees in this place, is a striking case in point. They brought an accusation to our Lord against His disciples. But what was its nature? It was not that they were covetous or self-righteous. It was not that they were untruthful or uncharitable. It was not that they had broken any part of the law of God. But they “disobey the tradition of the elders. They don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.” They did not observe some rule of mere human authority, which some old Jew had invented! This was the head and front of their offence!
Do we see nothing of the spirit of the Pharisees in the present day? Unhappily we see only too much. There are thousands of professing Christians, who seem to care nothing about the religion of their neighbors, provided that it agrees in outward matters with their own. Does their neighbor worship according to their particular form? Can he repeat their sayings, and talk a little about their favorite doctrines? If he can, they are satisfied, though there is no evidence that he is converted. If he cannot, they are always finding fault, and cannot speak peaceably of him, though he may be serving Christ better than themselves. Let us beware of this spirit. It is the very essence of hypocrisy. Let our principle be—“the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17).
We learn, for another thing, from these verses, the great danger of attempting to add anything to the word of God. Whenever a man takes upon him to make additions to the Scriptures, he is likely to end with valuing his own additions above Scripture itself.
We see this point brought out most strikingly in our Lord’s answer to the charge of the Pharisees against His disciples. He says, “Why do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?” He strikes boldly at the whole system of adding anything, as needful to salvation, to God’s perfect word. He exposes the mischievous tendency of the system by an example. He shows how the vaunted traditions of the Pharisees were actually destroying the authority of the fifth commandment. In short, He establishes the great truth, which ought never be forgotten, that there is an inherent tendency in all traditions, to “make the commandment of God of none effect.” The authors of these traditions may have meant no such thing. Their intentions may have been pure. But that there is a tendency in all religious institutions of mere human authority, to usurp the authority of God’s word, is evidently the doctrine of Christ.
The spirit of the Pharisees still lives, after two thousand years. The disposition to “make the commandment of God void by traditions,” is to be found among Christians, as well as among Jews. The tendency practically to exalt man’s inventions above God’s word is still fearfully prevalent. May we watch against it, and be on our guard! May we remember that no tradition or man- made institution in religion can ever excuse the neglect of relative duties, or justify disobedience to any plain commandment of God’s Word.
We learn, in the last place, from these verses, that the religious worship that God desires, is the worship of the heart. We find our Lord establishing this by a quotation from Isaiah, “This people draws near to Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
The heart is the principal thing in the relation of husband and wife, of friend and friend, of parent and child. The heart must be the principal point to which we attend in all the relations between God and our souls. What is the first thing we need, in order to be Christians? It is a new heart. What is the sacrifice God asks us to bring to him? It is a broken and a contrite heart. What is the true circumcision? It is the circumcision of the heart. What is genuine obedience? It is to obey from the heart. What is saving faith? It is to believe with the heart. Where ought Christ to dwell? He is to dwell in our hearts by faith.
Let us leave the passage with honest self-inquiry as to the state of our own hearts. Let us settle it in our minds, that all formal worship of God, whether in public or private, is utterly in vain, so long as our “hearts are far from Him.” The bended knee, the bowed head, the loud amen, the daily Bible chapter, and the regular attendance at the Lord’s table, are all useless and unprofitable, so long as our affections are nailed to sin, or pleasure, or money, or the world. The question of our Lord must yet be answered satisfactorily, before we can be saved. He says to every one, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17).
Questions:
What are the themes of chapters 1 through 15?
What did the Pharisees do wrong when they came up with the hand- washing law?
When men introduce their own traditions, what often happens to God’s Laws?
Which commandment did the Pharisees displace with their own traditions (of Corban)?
What law did Jesus confirm from the Old Testament in relation to the cursing of a father or mother? Reference Leviticus 20:9.
Why did the Pharisees ignore God’s commandment, according to verse eight?
Family Discussion Questions:
How do the traditions of men make the law of God of none effect in our present day? Give several examples where this may be happening in our churches today.
How does Jesus want us to honor our father and mother? According to verses 5 and 6, it seems that Jesus wants children caring for their parents in their old age. Are there systems today that would exempt people from caring for their elderly parents (or keeping the fifth commandment)?
