INTRODUCTION

Jesus went all out to correct the Pharisees and the Scribes. The Lord denounced religious externalism. The Scribes and Pharisees were unrelenting in their efforts to trap the Lord Jesus Christ. A delegation of them came from Jerusalem, charging His disciples with uncleanness for eating with their hands unwashed, therefore violating the tradition of the elders.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. Leaders from Jerusalem Question Jesus (Matthew 15: 1-2)
The Scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem to raise some issues that seem to have bothered them. They came to investigate and assess the words and work of the man Jesus. They were concerned that Jesus’ disciples were violating the tradition of the elders. Many ancient Jews took the ‘tradition of the elders’ very seriously. In addition, Jesus answered their question with a question: ‘why do you transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?’

DISCUSSION TIME

1. Why do some Christians demonstrate their knowledge of God’s Word in an arrogant and critical manner?

B. Jesus’ Response to the Accusation (Matthew 15: 3-9)
The Lord Jesus reminded His critics that they transgressed the commandment of God, not simply the tradition of the elders. The law commanded men to honour their parents, including supporting them financially, if necessary, but the scribes and the Pharisees were not ready to support their aged parents. They therefore devised a tradition to enable them avoid this responsibility. God is interested in the internal and real. Unfortunately, men are more interested in the external and image. Jesus did not say all tradition are bad neither did He say that all traditions are good. He compared traditions to the Word of God, and put them at a much lower priority than what God has said.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. To what extent should Christians keep the law and at the same time show mercy and promote justice?

Points to Note from the Lesson
* When we misinterpret the Bible, we misrepresent God.
* Believers should seek to obey God’s commandments out of a heartfelt devotion and not just mere acts of observance.

Memory Verse:

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. (Matthew 15: 8)