Who Needs Help?
* After Jesus called Matthew to follow him, Matthew (a tax collector) invited Jesus to his home for a banquet. A large crowd of tax collectors and "sinners" ate with them. The Pharisees and teachers of the law complained to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners?" (Luke 5:27-30) How did Jesus respond?

† "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32, NIV)

* Did Jesus mean that the Pharisees were "healthy" and "righteous?" Do "religious people" need a "doctor?"

Religious Tradition vs. the Will of God
* Read Matthew 15:1-9. The Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus why his disciples were breaking "the tradition of the elders" (15:1-2). Jesus responded with his own question:

† "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" (15:3, NIV)

* Jesus calls the Pharisees "hypocrites," and applies the following prophecy to them:

† "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men" (15:8-9, NIV)

1. How might our religious activity be "in vain" (worthless, meaningless)? How might our religious activity actually conflict with, or oppose, the will of God? What are examples?

What Really Makes a Person "Unclean?"
* Read Matthew 15:10-20. In this passage, the Pharisees and teachers of the law are concerned with ceremonial uncleanness and purification. Though "the [extra-biblical] tradition of the elders" was criticized by Jesus, cleanness and uncleanness are important biblical concepts.

2. What does Jesus say? According to Jesus, what really makes a person "unclean?"

Reflection & Application

> In verse 19, Jesus provides a brief list of characteristics that reveal an unclean heart. Of course, there are many others. Consider your own attitudes and actions, and ask yourself: "In what ways is my heart 'unclean?' Do I need to see the 'heart doctor?"

3. Do you think Jesus is declaring all religious rituals useless? What about the Jewish laws and rituals found in the Old Testament?

4. If the real problem is the human heart (instead of human failure to perform religious activities and rituals), then what is needed to make a person "clean?"

Reflection & Application

> Are you attempting to earn God's acceptance and blessing by your religious activity? The only way to be made "clean" is through faith in Jesus Christ. Have you trusted in him?

> As a "Christian," are you serving and worshiping God from the heart? Read Romans 12:1-2 and Colossians 3:1-17 and "set your heart on things above" (Colossians 3:1).