READING: Genesis 47-48, Matthew 15:1-28
“But you say . . . .” These words came from the lips of Jesus when he confronted the religious leaders in today’s Bible reading. They had questioned why His disciples broke their traditions, and Jesus was ready to deal with that issue.
He first responded to their questions by reminding them that they had themselves been breaking God’s commandment; they had not been respecting their parents. Jesus quoted the Word to them, and what He quoted is clear: “Honor your father and mother” (Matt. 15:4) and ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death” (Matt. 15:6).
That’s when Jesus showed us something about the hearts of the religious leaders. They may have known biblical teachings, but they developed their own application of the text. “But you say” (Gen. 15:5). meant they allowed their own thinking and traditions to trump what the Word says.
“Buy you say”–these words are indeed dangerous. When the Word says one thing but we then say differently, we’re moving in the wrong direction. Disciples of Jesus study His Word, digest it, and live it out. They know the difference between, “the Bible says” and “but I say.”
Prayer: “Father, I want to lean on your Word fully. Please help me.”
Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis 49-50, Matthew 15:29-16:12
