Kingdom Come: That Which Defiles (Matthew 15:1-20)

Tradition vs. Commandments of God:
The Pharisees confront Jesus about his disciples not following the tradition of ritual handwashing before meals. Jesus responds by criticising the Pharisees for prioritising their traditions over God’s commandments, specifically highlighting their practice of Corban, which allowed them to avoid helping their parents under the guise of dedicating resources to God.

True Defilement Comes from Within:
Jesus teaches that defilement is not about external actions like eating without washing hands but about the evil that comes from within a person. He emphasises that what comes out of the mouth—such as evil thoughts, murder, adultery, theft, and slander—defiles a person, rather than what goes into the mouth.

The Heart of God’s Law:
Jesus underscores that the heart of God’s law is about true holiness and dedication to God, not just ritual purity or adherence to traditions. He critiques the Pharisees for missing the spirit of the law by focusing on external rituals while neglecting internal purity and genuine love for God and others.

Two Applications:

• Evaluate Our Own Traditions and Practices: Believers should examine their own traditions and religious practices to ensure they align with the heart of God’s commandments. This means prioritising love, compassion, and genuine holiness over rigid adherence to man-made rules that may neglect or even harm others.
• Guard Our Hearts and Speech: Since true defilement comes from within, believers should focus on purifying their hearts and controlling their speech. This involves being mindful of the thoughts and attitudes that reside in the heart, as well as the words that come out of our mouths, striving to reflect the holiness and love of God in both thought and action.