Mathew 15:6 stood out to me “and so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.” Are there any areas of our lives that we have done this and need to repent?
I love Jesus’ affirmation of the Canaanite woman’s faith—“great is your faith!” Only two people received this praise from Jesus—the Canaanite woman and the centurion, both Gentiles and one a woman. Love that Jesus shows here how much he values every single person, regardless of our social status, ethnicity, or gender.
The commentary I was reading pointed out no other works of Jesus are recorded during this trip to Tyre and Sidon—it seems the most important part of his trip here was his interaction with this Canaanite woman because that’s the only piece that’s recorded. Again, I just love that what seems to be a cold or confusing interaction at first turns into Jesus honoring her with the greatest compliment because of her faith and persistence, honoring her request, and now her story lives on in the gospel as an example we can follow.
At first read I was really bothered by Jesus’ seeming insensitivity to the Canaanite woman’s needs. It seems so inconsistent with his character so I know there must be something I’m missing. I did some additional research and really learned a lot that helped. This in particular is super helpful in breaking it down: http://www.christianthinktank.com/qcrude.html (no idea why the link is called that but the info there is good!)
As I was reading this passage from Exodus, I was struck by the offerings requested by God: an altar overlaid with gold, on which lambs were to be sacrificed; and perfumes and oils containing frankincense and myrrh. Truly, everything points to Jesus – the Old Testament is not arbitrary, nor is it a mistake.
These last few chapters in Exodus have been exceptionally difficult for me and my impatient mind. Honestly, I found them boring. But when I asked myself “why did/does God want us, want me, to read and know all this? Since Jesus came to renew us of all these rules, why should I have to learn about them?” God gave me these answers: First, the amount of detail that God went into with Moses reminds me that He cares so greatly for His creation and what they do, and that He never misses anything. If God was so concerned and particular about how these sacrifices and offerings were made, how much MORE particular and concerned is He about us! My future, my plans, my wants and needs. He doesn’t sit back and wish me good luck. He has a very specific set of plans for my life, for al of our lives. Plans to give hope and a future.
Second, I was reminded that I am not God.
I am not going to understand everything.
Sometimes, it’s JUST about living in obedience to God, and not me getting something out of it. Sometimes we aren’t meant to understand everything, we’re just asked to do it.
Yes I’ve heard messages that are similar regarding the details in Noah’s ark. The exact measurements and what was needed to make it. It goes back to the details. It goes with the saying those who put everything in God’s hands will eventually see God’s hand in everything. He is in the details we need only seek him first.
When God gave Moses this enormous set of rules, how could expect anything but the future generations turning to legalism? It’s an exhausting tradition and set of rules He laid out in Exodus. I think I would become obsessive about it, too.
God gave Israel the law because He could not yet be with them personally, through the Holy Spirit. Nor could He atone their sins without their constant sacrifice, since Jesus had not yet come. But His plan was always to abolish the law when Jesus entered the picture, so that we no longer find our righteousness through such legalism, but through God.
As Cari said, the whole point of the law was so that they understood they couldn’t keep the law. To show them that they needed a Saviour. These sacrifices did the same thing. They had to sacrifice animals frequently because only a perfect person, Jesus, could take the sins of the whole world forever.
Also, the traditions the Pharisees were keeping were man-made and had nothing to do with God’s law. That is why Jesus had such harsh words with the spiritual leaders. Instead of the Pharisees and spiritual leaders realizing that their hearts were desperately wicked and they were in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ, they concocted more arbitrary man-made laws and rules that they couldn’t even keep. The question becomes whether there are man made traditions that we keep which are contrary what God has done for us and His word calls us to do? “…so for the sake of your tradition you have made void the Word of God.” Matthew 15:6b
while reading about how Jesus feeds a crowd AGAIN out of essentially nothing, I can’t help but notice that AGAIN the disciples are doubtful of his abilities. This is much like us – they’ve so quickly forgotten His last miracle & they simply move onto what they need next & focus again on what they don’t have. We are so quick to forget what He’s done for us & merely wonder what he will give us next!
The anxiety I have been feeling this morning just subsided – to remember how He has been there for us in the past and been so faithful helps to face today and the future.
Mathew 15:6 stood out to me “and so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.” Are there any areas of our lives that we have done this and need to repent?
Love this insight ❤️
Done❤️
I love Jesus’ affirmation of the Canaanite woman’s faith—“great is your faith!” Only two people received this praise from Jesus—the Canaanite woman and the centurion, both Gentiles and one a woman. Love that Jesus shows here how much he values every single person, regardless of our social status, ethnicity, or gender.
The commentary I was reading pointed out no other works of Jesus are recorded during this trip to Tyre and Sidon—it seems the most important part of his trip here was his interaction with this Canaanite woman because that’s the only piece that’s recorded. Again, I just love that what seems to be a cold or confusing interaction at first turns into Jesus honoring her with the greatest compliment because of her faith and persistence, honoring her request, and now her story lives on in the gospel as an example we can follow.
Agreed! Thanks for sharing ❤️
Yes!
At first read I was really bothered by Jesus’ seeming insensitivity to the Canaanite woman’s needs. It seems so inconsistent with his character so I know there must be something I’m missing. I did some additional research and really learned a lot that helped. This in particular is super helpful in breaking it down: http://www.christianthinktank.com/qcrude.html (no idea why the link is called that but the info there is good!)
As I was reading this passage from Exodus, I was struck by the offerings requested by God: an altar overlaid with gold, on which lambs were to be sacrificed; and perfumes and oils containing frankincense and myrrh. Truly, everything points to Jesus – the Old Testament is not arbitrary, nor is it a mistake.
These last few chapters in Exodus have been exceptionally difficult for me and my impatient mind. Honestly, I found them boring. But when I asked myself “why did/does God want us, want me, to read and know all this? Since Jesus came to renew us of all these rules, why should I have to learn about them?” God gave me these answers: First, the amount of detail that God went into with Moses reminds me that He cares so greatly for His creation and what they do, and that He never misses anything. If God was so concerned and particular about how these sacrifices and offerings were made, how much MORE particular and concerned is He about us! My future, my plans, my wants and needs. He doesn’t sit back and wish me good luck. He has a very specific set of plans for my life, for al of our lives. Plans to give hope and a future.
Second, I was reminded that I am not God.
I am not going to understand everything.
Sometimes, it’s JUST about living in obedience to God, and not me getting something out of it. Sometimes we aren’t meant to understand everything, we’re just asked to do it.
This comment was very helpful!
Beautifully put! I had some mixed feelings as well, but after reading your take on it, I understand
Yes I’ve heard messages that are similar regarding the details in Noah’s ark. The exact measurements and what was needed to make it. It goes back to the details. It goes with the saying those who put everything in God’s hands will eventually see God’s hand in everything. He is in the details we need only seek him first.
When God gave Moses this enormous set of rules, how could expect anything but the future generations turning to legalism? It’s an exhausting tradition and set of rules He laid out in Exodus. I think I would become obsessive about it, too.
God gave Israel the law because He could not yet be with them personally, through the Holy Spirit. Nor could He atone their sins without their constant sacrifice, since Jesus had not yet come. But His plan was always to abolish the law when Jesus entered the picture, so that we no longer find our righteousness through such legalism, but through God.
As Cari said, the whole point of the law was so that they understood they couldn’t keep the law. To show them that they needed a Saviour. These sacrifices did the same thing. They had to sacrifice animals frequently because only a perfect person, Jesus, could take the sins of the whole world forever.
Also, the traditions the Pharisees were keeping were man-made and had nothing to do with God’s law. That is why Jesus had such harsh words with the spiritual leaders. Instead of the Pharisees and spiritual leaders realizing that their hearts were desperately wicked and they were in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ, they concocted more arbitrary man-made laws and rules that they couldn’t even keep. The question becomes whether there are man made traditions that we keep which are contrary what God has done for us and His word calls us to do? “…so for the sake of your tradition you have made void the Word of God.” Matthew 15:6b
while reading about how Jesus feeds a crowd AGAIN out of essentially nothing, I can’t help but notice that AGAIN the disciples are doubtful of his abilities. This is much like us – they’ve so quickly forgotten His last miracle & they simply move onto what they need next & focus again on what they don’t have. We are so quick to forget what He’s done for us & merely wonder what he will give us next!
So true ….
The anxiety I have been feeling this morning just subsided – to remember how He has been there for us in the past and been so faithful helps to face today and the future.