Matthew 15
The Pharisees ask, "Why do Thy disciples transgress the tradition?" The Lord answers, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God?" Man had so systematized tradition that it had taken the place of God's Word. Man uses the profession of being God's people to cover iniquity with tradition. These things were written for us to be exercised by; have we fallen into traditions? Do we wait on God before we act, whether in our personal lives or in the assembly?
"Tradition may be described as that which is handed down as oral teaching. It may be instruction from God, as in 2 Thess. 2:15;3:615Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6) and 1 Cor. 11:22Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2) (where it is translated 'ordinance), handed down before the Word of God was complete. Or it may be from man, as was the tradition of the elders of Israel, which was strongly denounced by the Lord, and declared to be a subverting of the commandments of God (Matt.
15:2-6; Mark 7:3-133For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. 5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. (Mark 7:3‑13); Gal. 1:1414And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:14)). In Col. 2:88Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8) it is the mere teaching of the moralists of which much has survived to the present day. What man institutes, man holds to most tenaciously.
The present-day denominations are the result of tradition. A certain scripture may be used to start a denomination and is pursued and insisted upon when it is not the mind of God from His Word.
The disciples had traditions so imbedded in their minds that they did not understand. They said that the Pharisees were offended. The Lord told them that these plants were not planted by His Father.
The traditions of the Pharisees came from their hearts, circumventing the scriptures given to them. This shows that the heart of man is corrupt, and unless the person rests entirely on the Word of God and unless he obeys it, he will go wrong. Where tradition is followed, the Word of God is not much used, or used in a false interpretation to hold up the tradition. The leaders of the Jews were blind, leaders of the blind, leading the blind into the ditch.
Peter asked the Lord to explain to them the parable about the mouth defiling. He said that what entered the mouth entered the stomach and from there passed out of the body, but what came out of the mouth was from the heart, a well of iniquity. All evil arises and proceeds from the heart and defiles the man. Among men there are no exceptions. Read the book of Job carefully.
There must be the conviction and confession of sin. The truth is simple when known by a repentant heart. There is nothing so difficult, in man's judgment of truth, but what can be opened by the Holy Spirit, and received by faith.
Inward Purity
Jesus departed to go to the coast of Tyre and Sidon. In this cursed land of the children of Canaan, a woman cried to Him for help. She, being a Canaanite, had no rights in David the King of Israel. Her case was helpless and hopeless, except for the promise to Abraham who, as the father of faith, was told that in him would all nations be blessed. We are not told that she knew this.
Her daughter was possessed of a demon, and she cried to the Son of David for mercy; no answer. He told His disciples that He was not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Then she worshipped Him, saying, "Lord, help me." The Lord answered that the children's bread is not for the dogs. She said, "Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." The Lord answers, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole."
Her necessity gave her faith to act. With her there was both need and faith in the Person and power of Jesus. This combination always results in blessing. How some of us fail in this. We go on sometimes for days, months, even years in a position of spiritual need, because we do not have faith in the Person and power of Jesus.
No doubt when the woman said "crumbs," the heart of Jesus was touched as it often was in His ministry, and He acted immediately in sovereignty. God was faithful to His promises to Abraham. God's grace rose above the curse of Canaan.
In her we see inward purity. She was only a Gentile "dog," picking up the crumbs from her master's table. There was no display of will, only a heart ready to burst in the presence of Jesus. She had come to the end of herself; she was all vile. Now she received the blessing of healing for her daughter.
Being in the presence of Jesus, her heart warmed in the confidence of a friend who would never leave her.
To be received by Jesus is to be pure in heart. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
What a contrast-traditions and inward purity! One is a well of corruption, the other a fountain of praise. How far Israel had gotten from God! How was it that the Gentiles, who knew not God, were receptive to the truth when Israel refused it? The answer is-the cloak of tradition blinded the heart.
Jesus Heals and Feeds the Multitude
Jesus departed to Galilee and sat on a mountain. Great multitudes came unto Him to hear Him and to be healed. In doing so they glorified the God of Israel. The people loved to be in His presence; they realized His love for them, so they thronged about Him.
Jesus had compassion on the multitude who came unto Him and had nothing to eat. When this need was put before the disciples, they responded, "Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness?" They had only seven loaves and a few fishes.
Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. Taking the loaves and fishes, He gave thanks and gave them to the disciples who gave them to the multitudes. The Lord was teaching His disciples to fill a place of service for Him. Four thousand were fed, besides women and children, leaving several baskets full. Here we see perfection in the Lord's service to His Father and to man. (Seven signifies perfection, and four, universal testimony.)