Matthew 15:12

New International Version (NIV)

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

For Meditation

Jesus just corrected the Pharisees. They were wrong by elevating their tradition over the word of God (Matt. 15:6). It is the height of hypocrisy, and Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah to support His claim (8-9). He followed this with a teaching to the crowd.  ^“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them” (11). That should have answered the question about the disciple’s lack of ceremonial washing before eating, brought by the Pharisees (2). But it didn’t. Rather, the Pharisees were offended by it. “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” (12).

You see, “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the human heart” (Heb. 4:12). It rebukes and corrects (2 Tim. 3:16). It challenges the hearer where they are and demands a response that ultimately reveals their devotion to God or lack of it. Many people in the Bible have taken offense at God’s word and it challenged them and suffered for it. But for those who allowed it to prune them, God’s blessings have overshadowed them.

Josiah received the law with brokenness (2 Chron. 34:19) with the Lord’s blessings (27-28), and he moved to reform Judah. Surprisingly, King Jehoiakim, his son, took offense at the word of God Jeremiah spoke to Judah’s sinful state and the impending danger that loomed over the nation (Jer. 36:2). Instead of repenting in favor of God’s forgiveness, he cut and burned the entire scroll in portions of three or four columns each in the fire (23). But God’s word can never be burnt. People may burn the Bible, but the word of God will forever stand, draped in His faithfulness as the immutable God. Jehoiakim was bound with bronze shackles and sent into Babylonian exile where he died.

1. So, how do you receive God’s word?
2. Do you take offense when it comes close to your skin?
3. Do you pretend you didn’t hear or understand it?
4. Do you claim its promises, but disregard its warnings?
5. Do you allow it to teach, rebuke, correct, and train you in righteousness (2 Tim. 12:16)?

I pray you realize that your rejection of what God has said does not alter its veracity and certainty. His word is His very self, and the expression of His unchanging nature. By it we are warned, and rewarded when obey (Ps. 19:11).

So: May the Lord make your heart tender and receptive to His word; and may you find delight in it as you allow yourself to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rm. 12:2).

Shalom