Matthew 15-17

January 5, 2008

What is it that defiles a person?

Jesus said it is what comes out of a person that defiles them not what goes in. The Jews made such a big deal about the things they ate, touched, and drank. They were so taken with appearances which they related to being righteous.

If only they were so attentive to the things that came out of them. That is where true righteousness is revealed. Their vocabulary, attitude, and air of superiority were a reflection of what was really inside of them.

They were emphasizing the wrong things – majoring on the minors.

Also note here that Matthew is once again commenting on the law. The law is not an outward act to be followed but an inward attitude to be lived out in daily life.

Peter makes a great confession about the identity of Jesus and then sticks his foot in his mouth. What did he say in each case?

The great confession of Peter is that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) the son of the Living God. While Peter said the right words we can only wonder what he meant. How did he see the role of Messiah? Was it as an earthly kingdom or a spiritual kingdom?

I think Peter confessed more than he knew or understood. Just as when we confess Jesus we don’t understand what it all means. In other words, like Peter, we don’t have it all figured out.

Evidently that is not important because Jesus commends Peter for his confession that is NOT the result of intellectual reasoning but revealed by the very act of God.

But then Peter puts his foot in his mouth when Jesus tries to move Peter’s understanding forward by revealing the kind of Messiah (Christ), Jesus really is... One who is going to die and be raised up to life.

Peter takes Jesus aside and rebukes him, “Don’t talk like that, you’ll give the wrong impression…”

Jesus’ response for satan to get behind him is satan’s second attempt (as revealed by Matthew) for Jesus to take another route. It is another test of Jesus’ will.

From where did Jesus tell Peter to get the temple tax?

Peter gets the temple tax from the mouth of a fish. Interesting to say the least ... Not only does Jesus pay his tax but also Peter’s.

Jesus recognizes that even though he is not legally required to pay, (he is the Son of God), at the risk of causing an offense he graciously complies; again putting his rights aside for the sake of others.