Confronting the Pharisees
Read verses
1-3. Hear we see the real problem concerning Christ's criticism by the Scribes and
the Pharisees. They thought that they held to the laws of Moses, but Jesus
points out (and does so on many occasions) that they do not. In fact they hold
to many traditions and customs that Moses never required; furthermore, they lay
aside many commandments and replace them with their own. They begin their
complaint by pointing out that neither Jesus, nor his disciples wash their
hands before they eat. This is a tradition that does not come from Moses, but
from the Jewish Elders. In fact there is a story that there was a certain
Rabbi, Rabbi Akiba, a prisoner, having water sent him both to wash his hands
with, and to drink with his food, accidentally spilled most of the water; yet
he still washed his hands with the remainder, though he had none left to drink,
saying he would rather die than transgress the tradition of the elders.
Now what
Jesus does here is confront the Pharisees with the Law of Moses, in order to
show them how it is THEY that are guilty of transgression and not himself. He
says, “For God commandeth, saying, honour thy father and thy mother…” Jesus is
quoting from Exodus 20:12. The verse implies financial support for parents,
from their children, but the Pharisees basically made up a rule saying, if you
decided to give a gift to the temple, then that could override your responsibility
to your father and your mother, “he shall be free.” (verse 6) So they had made
“the commandment of God of none effect…” by their tradition.
Jesus then
quotes the prophet Isaiah. Let’s read it from the original source, Isaiah 29:13
(Read)
A classic
description of a nominal believer. They acknowledge God with their mouth, but
He means nothing to their heart. It is simply an outward observance, a list of
“thous” and “thou-shalt-nots.” But the desires of the heart are still after the
things of this world (we can see that in the Pharisees; their lust for power,
status and the praise of men) their pleasure is in the practices, values and
entertainments of this world; they are excited about worldly things, caught up
in them, corrupted by them; religion is something they do, to appease their
conscience; that’s not Christianity!
Declaration to the Crowd
Jesus
switches His attention from the Pharisees to the rest of the crowd. In verse 11
He says (Read)
He seizes
upon the bedrock of many false religions, Judaism being the main one here under
scrutiny. (Don’t forget, at this time the Laws of Moses had been corrupted and infected
by the laws of men and Jewish superstitions). Washing with water does not make
one morally, or spiritually clean. It does not remove moral, or spiritual
defilement. He teaches the multitudes that it is not what goes into a person’s
mouth (a bit of dust, or dirt on the hands) that defiles him, or makes him
unclean. What goes into the mouth, eventually passes through the body, as Jesus
points out in verse 17. So what does defile a man?
Verses
18-20 (Read)
Instruction of the Disciples
In verse 12
the disciples came to Jesus and told him that the Pharisees had been offended
by what he had said to them. “Religious” people will always take offence when
Christ’s gospel is preached; it asks too much of them, it undermines what they
thought they knew, it demands they humble themselves…that is why so few people
come out of religions like the JWs, or the Mormons…that’s why so few
churchgoers (those that do not have the Spirit of Christ) become real
Christians; because “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the
humble.” (James 4:6)
Jesus
replies to them in a very straightforward way: “Every plant which my heavenly
father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” Remember God only plants good
seed. Every Institution, way and doctrine that is inconsistent with the word of
God (and I don’t care how popular it is) has not been planted by God, but by
the enemy.
Christ
describes the Pharisees as “the blind leaders of the blind.” They are ignorant,
proud and arrogant. They don’t want the truth, therefore they don’t see the
truth; and whosoever follows them will not see either; they will fall into the
ditch. Jesus’ instructions are very clear, “let them alone.” Stay away from
them. Matthew Henry says, “Have no converse with them or concern for them;
neither court their favour, nor dread their displeasure: they will take their
course…” Their minds are made up, their hearts hardened irreparably.
To the Region of Phoenicia: The Healing of the
Canaanite Woman’s Daughter
In verse 21
we read about a Canaanite woman, a Gentile, whose daughter is troubled by a
devil, an unclean, evil spirit. She approaches Jesus using His messianic title
“O Lord, thou Son of David,” and she cries out to Him for mercy, for her
daughter’s sake. We read in verse 23 that “He answered her not a word!” Maybe
he was testing her faith, seeing how real her desire for him was. When Jesus
eventually does reply, it is an interesting one. “I am not sent but unto the
lost sheep of Israel.”
This
demonstrates a number of things:
- That the Jewish people were “lost,” they needed a Saviour. Just because they were the ethnic descendants of Jacob, did not mean they had automatic redemption.
- That at this time the Gospel was primarily, although not exclusively, being sent to, and received by, them.
Yet even
after Jesus has said all this, she is persistent “Lord, help me.” Would that
those who seek salvation were as persistent as this woman. Many a person turns
back unfulfilled, through lack of persistence in fervent, expectant prayer! Do
you actually believe that you will receive what you are asking for?
Jesus gives
a further reply in verse 26 (Read) The Jews called Gentiles “dogs.” But the
woman, in great humility, does not take offence, rather she uses the word to
her advantage, in verse 27 (Read) And Jesus responds in verse 28 (Read)
To the Sea of Galilee: The Feeding of the Four
Thousand
Jesus leaves
that area and makes his way to the Sea of Galilee. It was given that name
because it borders onto Galilee. The city of Tiberias stands on the western
shore, so it is sometimes called the Sea of Tiberias; same place.
Here we see
another miracle of Jesus, the Feeding of the Four Thousand. Again, in verse 32
we read that it was compassion that motivated Him. How different to the
Pharisees, who also fed the poor, yet whose motivation was duty, and the praise
of men.
Notice, by
the way, the commitment of the ordinary people. They had continued with Him for
three days with nothing to eat (verse 32) See how they valued the words of
Jesus and his healing touch, above their work, their employment; above their
comfort and families. I believe that Jesus notices when Christians are willing
to forgo the comforts of this life, to sit at His feet. And I believe He
responds with compassion and care; and I believe he feeds them too!
The Withdrawal to Magdala.
Christ then
dismisses the multitude and leaves the area and heads for the coasts of
Magdala.
Copyright © Paul Jennings.
