Episode 28 - Matthew 15: 1-20 - Jesus and the Traditions of the Elders

In this powerful reading from Matthew 15:1-20, Jesus confronts the Pharisees about prioritizing human traditions over God’s commandments. When they question why His disciples don’t follow the ritual of handwashing, Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy—following man-made rules while neglecting God’s true law. He reminds us that it’s not what goes into our mouths that defiles us, but what comes out of our hearts—our words, thoughts, and actions.

Pharisees Question Jesus (Matthew 15:1-2)
The Pharisees and scribes ask Jesus why His disciples do not follow the tradition of washing hands before eating.
This was a man-made tradition, not a command from God, but it was highly valued by the religious leaders.

Jesus’ Response: God’s Commandments vs. Human Traditions (Matthew 15:3-9)
Jesus challenges them by pointing out how they break God's law for the sake of their traditions. Example: They used religious excuses to avoid financially supporting their parents (violating the commandment to "Honor your father and mother").
He quotes Isaiah 29:13, saying their worship is in vain because they prioritize human rules over God's commands.

What Truly Defiles a Person (Matthew 15:10-20)
Jesus shifts the focus from external rituals (like handwashing) to internal purity.
He teaches that what comes from the heart—evil thoughts, murder, adultery, deceit—defiles a person, not what they eat.
This challenges the Pharisees' outward-focused religion and highlights the need for a pure heart before God.

Key takeaways -
True faith is about the heart, not just rituals.
God’s commandments are greater than human traditions.
Spiritual cleanliness matters more than outward appearances.

This passage challenges us to focus on a sincere relationship with God rather than just following religious customs. Jesus teaches that our words and actions reflect the state of our hearts. We should strive for purity in thought, speech, and behavior.
In a world filled with traditions and expectations, this passage reminds us to always align our lives with God’s truth, not just human opinions.

Take a moment today to reflect: Are we more focused on outward appearances or true inner transformation? Let’s strive to live with hearts fully devoted to God.