The Bible and the Tradition of Men
The Bible and the Tradition of Men 1. Introduction: In Matthew 15:10-20, Jesus challenges the religious leaders of his time to reconsider their understanding of the law and their interpretation of it. The passage speaks to both the religious and secular community, as it addresses fundamental issues of morality and ethics. 2. The Importance of Tradition: Jesus begins by pointing out the importance of tradition in Jewish culture. However, he also warns against the dangers of blindly following tradition, as it can lead to hypocrisy and a neglect of more important matters. 3. The Heart of the Matter: Jesus then explains that it is not what enters a person's mouth that defiles them, but what comes out of their hearts. This challenges the idea that external actions alone can make a person holy, and emphasizes the importance of inner purity. 4. The Hypocrisy of the Religious Leaders: Jesus then confronts the religious leaders, accusing them of neglecting the weightier matters of the law ...