Matthew 15: 1-6

God’s law always supersedes the traditions of man.

Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the LORD said:“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,

Pursuing Gods heart

1.Fear God not man

2.Walk in humility

3.Know how to repent

4.Know which battles to fight

Pride points to ourself… humility points to God.

Pastor Mitch Price

Some time ago I realized my car’s gas tank was nearly empty. I spotted a convenience store and parked next to a pump. I placed the nozzle in my tank, swiped my card, and began filling up my car. I then went into the store and bought a soda. I chatted with the store clerk. I went back to my car and washed the windshield. I was barely back on the road when I happened to look at my gas gauge. It was on empty!

Knowing my attention span, I probably forgot to squeeze the lever. I did everything except the one thing I needed to do. Have you done the same? Have you neglected the Holy Spirit? The Spirit of God longs to give you his great power. Challenges come with life, but they need not define your life. Help is here. Max Lucado

Matthew 15: 1-6

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor 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 honor 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 honor 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.’ ” The New King James Version 

The Gospel of Matthew has many Jewish overtones.

First-century Jews emphasized righteousness, and Matthew uses the words “righteous” and “righteousness” more often than the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John combined. 

Matthew also discusses the law, ceremonial cleanness, the Sabbath, the temple, David, the Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and Moses—all from a Jewish point of view. 

Furthermore the Gospel mentions Jewish rulers and customs such as ceremonial washing without explanation, indicating that Matthew expected his predominantly Jewish audience to be familiar with such practices.

The tradition of the elders was not the Law of Moses, it was the oral tradition based on interpretations of the law. They washed their hands ceremonially to remove defilement, not for hygienic purposes. 

In typical rabbinical style, Jesus answered the accusations of the scribes and Pharisees with a question. Whereas they challenged Jesus for His disciples’ violation of the teachings of former rabbis, Jesus challenged them for violating the commandment of God. The scribes and Pharisees were placing their own views above the revelation of God, and yet claimed to be following Him. 

Jesus was referring to a practice whereby people would dedicate their possessions to God so that they could use their finances for themselves and not for others. For example, if parents needed money, the children could excuse themselves from helping because their resources were already “dedicated” to God. This ruse kept people from honoring their parents by taking care of them in their old age. The NKJV Study Bible

In Gennesaret, Pharisees from Jerusalem approach Jesus and accuse Him of being lax toward their legal traditions. Jesus responds by pointing out their inconsistencies and condemns them by quoting the prophet Isaiah.

Jesus turns the tables on His opponents. In the following verses, He highlights their guilt for a much greater offense than handwashing. His disciples may have violated the tradition of the elders, but the Pharisees violated the commandment of God. Faithlife Study Bible

Additions to God’s laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he had left out something which was needed, and which man could supply; in one way or other they always lead men to disobey God. How thankful ought we to be for the written word of God! Never let us think that the religion of the Bible can be improved by any human addition, either in doctrine or practice. Our blessed Lord spoke of their traditions as inventions of their own, and pointed out one instance in which this was very clear, that of their transgressing the fifth commandment. When a parent’s wants called for assistance, they pleaded, that they had devoted to the temple all they could spare, even though they did not part with it, and therefore their parents must expect nothing from them. This was making the command of God of no effect. The doom of hypocrites is put in a little compass; “In vain do they worship me.” It will neither please God, nor profit themselves; they trust in vanity, and vanity will be their recompence.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.