Mouthwash

Matthew 15

Mathew 15 continues on with reports of events in the ministry of Jesus. It includes Jesus responding to a challenge from the Pharisees and then taking the time to explain his response to his disciples. Also, there is a report of Jesus healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman who demonstrated great faith. Finally Jesus feeds more than four thousand people with only seven loaves of bread and a few small fish.

There are a number of very interesting aspects of the passage today that have caught my attention. First I think it is particularly interesting that despite all that Jesus has done the thing that the Pharisees have a problem with is the fact that the disciples do not wash their hands before they eat. While in studying the Pharisees there is more to their complaint than just the surface issue it does seem to be a little silly. However, the response that Jesus gives is brilliant. In verse 11 Jesus says, "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' " This is a truth that should stick with us forever. If this was a motto that people around the world used today it would probably change the world in countless ways. How often are we so quick to speak and to say something without considering all the consequences? How many of us have ever regretted saying something or have said something that "came out wrong?" If only we took the time to remember that it is what comes out of our mouths that makes us unclean.

Later on in the chapter Jesus is approached by a Canaanite woman who is begging and crying for him to heal her daughter who is demon-possessed. By the end of the report Jesus is impressed with the woman's faith and does heal her daughter. However, I find his initial response to be very interesting. He responds by saying, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." (verse 24) This seems like a very cold and abrasive response from Jesus. I imagine that it is some sort of test or lesson that Jesus is trying to teach but I have not quite figured out what it is that he is doing when he responds in this way.

Finally, in the chapter Jesus has been healing a large group of people and he decides that he should feed them before he sends them off. He tells this to his disciples and they respond that there are only seven loaves of bread and a few fish. There were more than four thousand people to be fed. I am amazed at how quickly the disciples have forgotten about Jesus feeding the five thousand people with less food. This is documented in the previous chapter. Logically I would think the disciples would say to each other, "Remember last time? We are set!" Then I look at myself and am amazed at how much I have to be reminded of lessons that God has taught me only days earlier. Maybe the disciples are not so bad after all.

There are two main lessons from today's scripture that I am realizing that I need to apply to my life right now. First, I need to recognize and be conscious of the fact that it is what comes out of my mouth that can make me unclean. I must be cautious with my words, even in jest. What comes out of my mouth should reflect the God I serve and not the sinful nature from which he saves me. My words need to be God glorifying and truly honouring and respectful. The second lesson that I must bring into my life is that if God teaches me something I need to hold onto that golden nugget and truly apply it to my life. Not just for a day or for a week but truly make it a part of my life. I learn the lesson and must not keep going back to God to teach me the same thing over and over again.

Dear God,

I am so grateful that you are patient with me. I am stumbling through this relationship with you as best as I can. I am awkward and slow to learn. Forgive me. I know that you teach me lessons for a reason and I desire to truly learn those lessons and to keep them with me as I journey. I see today that my words can be powerful and I must be very aware of what I say and how I say it. I want my words to honour you and to reflect who you are. Please guide my words and please help me to control my words and examine them before they leave my mouth. Make me aware of words that will keep me clean and words that will make me unclean. God please teach me and grow me.

Amen