QT 17/01/2024 Wednesday Matthew 15

QT 17/01/2024 Wednesday Matthew 15
http://www.esvbible.org/matt15

The Pharisees and scribes accused Jesus' disciples of breaking the tradition on washing of hands (Matt 15:2). The tradition of devoting something to God was also misused to justify not honouring one's parents (Matt 15:4-6).

In their hearts, they already DO NOT WANT to obey the 5th Commandment (Exo 20:12). But they use "tradition" to JUSTIFY THEIR NEGLECT.

REFLECTION (1): Am I denying financial support to my parents because of "commandments taught by men" (Isa 29:13, Matt 15:9 )? What excuses am I using?

REFLECTION (2): Am I one of those who "honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me" (Isa 29:13, Matt 15:8)?

Uncleanness (a concept referred to in Leviticus), is not caused by the INTAKE of FOOD. But the OUTPUTS of the HEART.

APPLICATION: Check your life to see whether you have these things Jesus warned against: OUTPUTS like those in Matt 15:19 that REALLY make one UNCLEAN? Why harp on ceremonial unwashed hands when there is REAL defilement in our lives?

In contrast, the Canaanite woman (Matt 15:21-28) was considered clean. The lame, the blind, the crippled and the mute were restored to health instead (Matt 15:29-31).

星期三 2024年1月17日 今日读经：马太福音15章
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Mat/15/

法利赛人和文士们诬告耶稣的门徒在饭前不洗手，违背了传统(太15:2)。奉献礼物给神的传统也被错用来辩解自己不孝敬父母的行径(太15:4-6)。

在他们的心里，他们本来就不想遵从第五条戒律(出20:12)。但他们却用“传统”来辩解自己忽略父母的行径。

反思(1):我是否因“人的规条”(赛29:13,太15:9)，在经济上没有尽到供养父母的责任?我用了哪些借口呢？

反思(2):我是那“用嘴唇尊敬我，心却远离我”的人吗(赛29:13,太15:8)?

不洁净(利未记里提到的一个概念)，不是吃的食物所造成的。而是内心的输出造成的。

应用：审查你的生活,看看你是否有着这些耶稣所警告我们要提防的种种：比如马太15:19所提到的那些让人不洁净的输出？为什么要去计较有关没有洗手的礼仪，而不去关注自己生命里真正的不洁净？

对比之下，那迦南的妇女(太15:21-28)是洁净的。那瘸腿的、瞎眼的、残废的和哑的反而都恢复了健康(太15:29-31)。