MATTHEW
CHAPTER
15
1. Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2. Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not was their hands before they eat?
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 verses 1 and 2)
It seems oh Jesus that the forces of evil as in the case of the Pharisees and scribes were already united against You for in relation to this issue they had discussed and even travelled together in order to confront You with such an issue. Therefore when negative forces join together against us, we are to join with You the most powerful positive Spirit in a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving.
3. He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4. For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5. But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6. So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God.
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 verses 3 to 6)
Traditions at times oh Jesus can be very harmful indeed. When filtering the basic premises of certain tenets we may find out new things about ourselves and may even become aware of false beliefs about ourselves that have controlled our lives for a long time and have become part of our life-script. A typical example is the following. When I was a little boy my mum always told me that I was like my father who had been unfaithful to her and hurt her very much. On the other hand my father told me that I was a very forgetful person and as a consequence I would never be good at Arithmetic. When going through the family tree the trait of unfaithfulness is very dominant in the family tree to this very day. When I grew up and was married I started fearing that I would also live up to this tradition and be unfaithful to my wife or be emotionally abusive to her as others had been to me. Theory holds that the abused will become abusers themselves, however such traditions may be fallacious. I have been married for 14 years and to this very day I am happy to say that this tradition has not lived up to its name. On the other hand the mentioned theory is also not water tight, for although I have been emotionally abused many times even to this very day I am very sensitive in relation to this issue and am very careful not to hurt others by what I think and say. I am not saying that I never make mistakes and hurt others oh God because I am still human, however I believe that You oh God are able to smash such traditions and empower me to live according to the commandment of love more than on traditions.
7. You hypocrites ! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8. 'This people honors me with their lips but their hearts are far from me; 9. in vain do they worship me teaching human precepts as doctrines.'
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 verses 7 to 9)
This is one of the most verses that sends tremors running up and down my spine because its message hits home. I have been meditating on the word of God and sharing my prayers for all these years, however I am still afraid of falling into the trap of the hypocrite by not living a life that reflects the presence of God in me. I pray oh Jesus that You save me from falling into this trap.
10. Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, "Listen and understand: 11. it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 verses 10 to 11)
On having meditated on the book of Leviticus mainly chapters 10 to 11, I have found a whole list of creatures that are considered by God as being considered to be unclean for human consumption. However Oh Jesus when making such a declaration I understand what You are referring to. When we consume food that is contaminated we bring harm on the body however when we formulate a negative thought this is more harmful than when we contaminate the body. The process is also longer and more complex, and the consequences may afford both the body and even more the soul. In order to understand how our brain works please click on the following link:-
How the brain works
However when we process negative images and thoughts as in viewing negative pornographic material or negative thoughts and process the process of such images becomes more complex and is harder to reverse this is what You my God may have been referring to which in the ends causes the contamination of both the body and the soul. As referred to in the following link negative thoughts are toxic as much and more than bacteria in the body. I invite you to click on the following link Negative thinking is toxic
12. Then the disciples approached and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said? ". 13. He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another both will fall into a pit."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verses 12 to 14)
It is the case oh Jesus that to many of us who believe in You Your Gospel is a guidelines and means of encouragement and support, however those who do not believe in You may find the same Bible as being illogical , biased non-scientific and even offencive if viewed from different perspectives. However when reading praying, or meditating on Your Gospel we are to pray Your Holy Spirit to help us understand the meaning behind the meaning so that we can sustain our souls with the bounty of Your Word.
15. .But Peter said to him, "Explain this parable to us." 16. Then he said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17. Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? 18. But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles, 19. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verses 15 to 30)
Oh God for how long can You put up with us and our complaints or problems. It seems that You have a high tolerance threshold but enough is enough. I admire You oh God that instead of calling Peter a silly, ignorant and dumb person and smashed his self esteem as people did to me, You calmed down and positively educated Peter so that he would reach the understanding that he was lacking. You oh God are more than aware of our limitations. You do not scold us for it because You know our strengths and weaknesses and show empathy and understanding instead of being judgemental and critical. Thank You for being such a loving and caring father and may we imitate You during our interactions with others and with ourselves.
31. so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verse 31)
oh Jesus this is the best attitude and disposition in the sense that the people were not only influenced by the miracles that they had witnessed but were also moved to offer their praise and thanksgiving to You.
32. Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verse 32)
Oh Jesus thanks for having compassion on the human condition we try and follow in your steps but our sinful nature at times gets the better of us. However when we keep our focus on you we are never hungry.
33. The disciples said to him, "Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd? 34. Jesus asked them, "How many loaves have you?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verse 33 to 34)
When we are facing a crisis oh Jesus it is as if we are in a desert. There are no signs of resource even if they are right under our noses, we might not be able to access them. However You know that no case however difficult it may appear is not a lost case. You questioned the apostles regarding the quantity of loaves that they had and not if they had any available because You were aware that in all situations there are always resources at hand. The greatest resources are Your presence and our faith in Your divine providence and the knowledge and faith that You love us so much that You do not want us even to be in such a situation.
35. Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36. he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 38. Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39. After sending the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15)
This is what I call faith in action and in practise this is how it should be. On observing the example set by Jesus, we have the following procedure to follow during the course of our daily lives. Jesus knows that we have inner potential. He tells us to use that potential or use it to broaden our opportunities to improve our situations. Oh Jesus You believe in us more than we actually believe in ourselves. Thanks for doing so. Following this step oh Jesus even though the miracle has not yet been accomplished in faith and gratitude You thank Your Father that He was going to make this miracle in effect. Before it had actually taken place oh Jesus You thanked Your father for it. Even before difficult situations are resolved we are to pray to God in gratitude and thank Him in faith that He is going to resolve our situation or else provide a much better alternative for our own good. If nothing happens we still thank Jesus because the delay may also have been an act of God in order to protect us against making a wrong decision or maybe it is simply not the time. However whatever the issue we are always to have an attitude of faith and thanksgiving before the issue is actually resolved. Instead of accusing Jesus for having placed us in such a situation we are to thank Jesus for this situation and he will surely respond to our positive and faithful thanksgiving attitude Amen
I would like to end this chapter with a prayer of thanksgiving to You oh Jesus I invite you all to click on the following link:-
Prayer "Thank You God"
3. He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4. For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 5. But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father. 6. So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God.
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 verses 3 to 6)
Traditions at times oh Jesus can be very harmful indeed. When filtering the basic premises of certain tenets we may find out new things about ourselves and may even become aware of false beliefs about ourselves that have controlled our lives for a long time and have become part of our life-script. A typical example is the following. When I was a little boy my mum always told me that I was like my father who had been unfaithful to her and hurt her very much. On the other hand my father told me that I was a very forgetful person and as a consequence I would never be good at Arithmetic. When going through the family tree the trait of unfaithfulness is very dominant in the family tree to this very day. When I grew up and was married I started fearing that I would also live up to this tradition and be unfaithful to my wife or be emotionally abusive to her as others had been to me. Theory holds that the abused will become abusers themselves, however such traditions may be fallacious. I have been married for 14 years and to this very day I am happy to say that this tradition has not lived up to its name. On the other hand the mentioned theory is also not water tight, for although I have been emotionally abused many times even to this very day I am very sensitive in relation to this issue and am very careful not to hurt others by what I think and say. I am not saying that I never make mistakes and hurt others oh God because I am still human, however I believe that You oh God are able to smash such traditions and empower me to live according to the commandment of love more than on traditions.
7. You hypocrites ! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8. 'This people honors me with their lips but their hearts are far from me; 9. in vain do they worship me teaching human precepts as doctrines.'
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 verses 7 to 9)
This is one of the most verses that sends tremors running up and down my spine because its message hits home. I have been meditating on the word of God and sharing my prayers for all these years, however I am still afraid of falling into the trap of the hypocrite by not living a life that reflects the presence of God in me. I pray oh Jesus that You save me from falling into this trap.
10. Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, "Listen and understand: 11. it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 1 verses 10 to 11)
On having meditated on the book of Leviticus mainly chapters 10 to 11, I have found a whole list of creatures that are considered by God as being considered to be unclean for human consumption. However Oh Jesus when making such a declaration I understand what You are referring to. When we consume food that is contaminated we bring harm on the body however when we formulate a negative thought this is more harmful than when we contaminate the body. The process is also longer and more complex, and the consequences may afford both the body and even more the soul. In order to understand how our brain works please click on the following link:-
How the brain works
However when we process negative images and thoughts as in viewing negative pornographic material or negative thoughts and process the process of such images becomes more complex and is harder to reverse this is what You my God may have been referring to which in the ends causes the contamination of both the body and the soul. As referred to in the following link negative thoughts are toxic as much and more than bacteria in the body. I invite you to click on the following link Negative thinking is toxic
12. Then the disciples approached and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said? ". 13. He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another both will fall into a pit."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verses 12 to 14)
It is the case oh Jesus that to many of us who believe in You Your Gospel is a guidelines and means of encouragement and support, however those who do not believe in You may find the same Bible as being illogical , biased non-scientific and even offencive if viewed from different perspectives. However when reading praying, or meditating on Your Gospel we are to pray Your Holy Spirit to help us understand the meaning behind the meaning so that we can sustain our souls with the bounty of Your Word.
15. .But Peter said to him, "Explain this parable to us." 16. Then he said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17. Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? 18. But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles, 19. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verses 15 to 30)
Oh God for how long can You put up with us and our complaints or problems. It seems that You have a high tolerance threshold but enough is enough. I admire You oh God that instead of calling Peter a silly, ignorant and dumb person and smashed his self esteem as people did to me, You calmed down and positively educated Peter so that he would reach the understanding that he was lacking. You oh God are more than aware of our limitations. You do not scold us for it because You know our strengths and weaknesses and show empathy and understanding instead of being judgemental and critical. Thank You for being such a loving and caring father and may we imitate You during our interactions with others and with ourselves.
31. so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verse 31)
oh Jesus this is the best attitude and disposition in the sense that the people were not only influenced by the miracles that they had witnessed but were also moved to offer their praise and thanksgiving to You.
32. Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verse 32)
Oh Jesus thanks for having compassion on the human condition we try and follow in your steps but our sinful nature at times gets the better of us. However when we keep our focus on you we are never hungry.
33. The disciples said to him, "Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd? 34. Jesus asked them, "How many loaves have you?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish."
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verse 33 to 34)
When we are facing a crisis oh Jesus it is as if we are in a desert. There are no signs of resource even if they are right under our noses, we might not be able to access them. However You know that no case however difficult it may appear is not a lost case. You questioned the apostles regarding the quantity of loaves that they had and not if they had any available because You were aware that in all situations there are always resources at hand. The greatest resources are Your presence and our faith in Your divine providence and the knowledge and faith that You love us so much that You do not want us even to be in such a situation.
35. Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36. he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 38. Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39. After sending the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
(Gospel of Matthew chapter 15)
This is what I call faith in action and in practise this is how it should be. On observing the example set by Jesus, we have the following procedure to follow during the course of our daily lives. Jesus knows that we have inner potential. He tells us to use that potential or use it to broaden our opportunities to improve our situations. Oh Jesus You believe in us more than we actually believe in ourselves. Thanks for doing so. Following this step oh Jesus even though the miracle has not yet been accomplished in faith and gratitude You thank Your Father that He was going to make this miracle in effect. Before it had actually taken place oh Jesus You thanked Your father for it. Even before difficult situations are resolved we are to pray to God in gratitude and thank Him in faith that He is going to resolve our situation or else provide a much better alternative for our own good. If nothing happens we still thank Jesus because the delay may also have been an act of God in order to protect us against making a wrong decision or maybe it is simply not the time. However whatever the issue we are always to have an attitude of faith and thanksgiving before the issue is actually resolved. Instead of accusing Jesus for having placed us in such a situation we are to thank Jesus for this situation and he will surely respond to our positive and faithful thanksgiving attitude Amen
I would like to end this chapter with a prayer of thanksgiving to You oh Jesus I invite you all to click on the following link:-
Prayer "Thank You God"
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