Matthew Chapter 15
When you read this chapter, you may find yourself questioning what Jesus was doing when He spoke so harshly to some.
It sure sounds like He was criticizing someone for their race, but this is where we need to apply Biblical principles we have learned from other passages we have read.
We know that God never changes therefore Jesus never changes.
In this chapter Jesus is challenging the faith of those all around Him - from the Pharisees and scribes who were supposed to be the subject matter experts of Scripture, to the crowds that followed after Him, to His twelve disciples, and to a Canaanite woman who approached Him in desperation.
Let's Reflect
1. The Pharisees and scribes thought that the twelve disciples were breaking Jewish law because they did not perform the traditional ceremonious washing routine before doing what?
2. Jesus challenged their faith that was supposed to be rooted in the Scriptures but had become puffed up in sanctimonious religious traditions. He pointed out that the Bible commands us to honor our father and mother. But they had told their parents at a time when they were in need of help, that what they would have given to them they had done a “better thing” by giving it to God. The commandment stated that a person who reviles their father or mother must surely die. Jesus in His challenge told them that they had literally elevated their own tradition over the commandment of God. What did Jeus say they had done to the Word of God?
3. It is no wonder that we have people avoiding the church because they have seen the hypocrisy of religion. Jesus exposed this Himself, He called the leading religious leaders of that day – hypocrites. Jesus even told them that their behavior was prophesied by Isaiah. Think about that for a moment. The religious leaders who studied the Old Testament scriptures extensively were being told by Jesus that they were the fulfillment of a prophesy but in a very negative sense. What are the two main points of the prophecy from Isaiah?
4. What was the main challenge of faith to the crowds and to His twelve disciples? See verse 18 and refer back to verse 8.
5. In verses 21-28 we see the challenge of faith given to a Canaanite woman, a non-Jew. What was her initial prayer? See verse 22. This is a prayer that we all could say at any moment for any situation.
6. The disciples seemed to want Jesus to just go ahead and grant her request so she would not be bothering them any longer. What was Jesus initial response to the woman?
7. I picture this scene as Jesus walking down a path with the crowd following Him and this Canaanite woman yelling out to Jesus to help her. She was trying to get His attention, to help her. He challenged her to keep pursuing Him by mentioning that the focus of His ministry was to bring the gospel to whom? Jesus came to reach the Gentiles too, but while He was here on earth His focus was to reach the Israelites.
8. Jesus used the name dogs in referring to her race, a derogatory name the Jews called them. He was challenging the faith of a woman who had no reason to know anything about Him or the scriptures. But she proved that she did have genuine faith. What did she do?
9. The chapter ends with more miraculous healings and a people glorifying the God of Israel because of all the wonderful things He was doing for them. And then Jesus showed compassion for the whole crowd that had been with Him all day. And just like the previous miracle, He fed the crowd. How many people were fed this time and how many baskets of leftovers were there?
Devotionals
