Matthew 15 reminds me of the health-food craze that involves detoxifying your body by eating specific food groups. In today’s chapter Jesus describes the way most people expel toxins. We see the religious leaders of the day repulsed by the rag-tag group of followers rejecting many important traditions of the faith. They asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” To the Jew, this was disgusting and completely irreverent. It is critical to understand that dietary restriction and hygiene most certainly protected the Hebrew nation from plagues and disease. His response is directed at the corrupt that had been using the Law of Moses to cheat others. Jesus asked them, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” He noted the basic requirement in the 5th Commandment, to “Honor your mother and father”. He pointed to the loophole used exclude funds “devoted to God”. Jesus rightly exposed their purposeful deception, “You hypocrites!” Quoting from the prophet Isaiah, He described their condition; “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules”. Using religious words do not make us holy; our actions reveal what is in our heart. Has religion gotten in the way of honoring God?
Next Jesus taught them, “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them”. As you patronizingly nibble on Kale, please understand that His point is that the toxins in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth. If you believe you are superior to another human being by virtue of your religious traditions, or your pure lifestyle, your words will reveal it. The condescending attitude roles out of the mouth in self-centered boasts. He continues, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person”. Hateful acts begin in the heart as the belief another person is inferior.
The chapter closes by revealing discrimination. First we read of “A Canaanite woman… crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” Canaanites were distinctly different from Jews in language, culture, and religion. They were historic enemies, frequently fighting against Israel. Yet this woman used the prophetic Title for Messiah. The disciples reacted as any proper Jew would, “Send her away”; but “Jesus did not answer a word”. She is very persistent. When Jesus speaks, I believe He is parroting a remark of one of His followers, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel”. Kneeling before Him she said, “Lord, help me!” His response reveals His attitude. The Gentiles were often referred to as mongrel mutts, unwanted and unwelcome dogs, but here He uses the term for family pet or puppy. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs”. She understands His intention, and in humility acknowledges with joy, “the crumbs that fall from their master’s table”. To the shock of the establishment, she is welcomed, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted”. The chapter ends with Jesus healing all who came to Him, and then filled with compassion, fed thousands. Jesus always removes by adding something better. He is the Bread of Life, blessed, broken and given to all who ask and at the end we have “basketfuls… left over”. There were no qualifications, except having a need. We are all unworthy! Is it time to get rid of some hateful toxins in your life?