JESUS' TEACHING ON THE LAW

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

IDENTIFY how this lesson clarifies the difference between the letter and the spirit of the law; REFLECT on the impact of traditions on our faith; and CONSIDER whether we have kept traditions without regard to their spiritual significance or truth. 

FOCAL VERSES Matthew 15:1-11, 15-20

KEEP IN MIND

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"

(Matthew 15:8-9).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. The Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 15:1-9)

2. The Crowds (vv. 10-11)

3. The Disciples (vv. 15-20)

IN FOCUS STORY

Carl always thought part of being a good Christian was the ability to pay tithes. When he lost his job, he found him self  in an awkward situation, having to choose between paying tithes and using his unemployment checks to pay for basic necessities. He began to feel bad about his inability to tithe. 

One day he decided to talk to his pastor about how guilty he felt. "Pastor, since I've been unemployed, I haven't been paying my tithes. I feel terrible about it. I know I'm required to do this and that it's an obligation, but living off unemployment gives men so little to work with. Julia and I still have two kids to feed and since the economy tanked, our house note has gone up along with our taxes. She's working, but she does't make much and nothing new is coming along for her either. I fell like God won't forgive men for not being able to tithe. What should I do?"

In this lesson, Jesus challenges the Pharisees and scribes regarding their practice of honoring traditions over the truth God's Word. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Pharisees. As one of the largest groups of Jewish religious leaders in the New Testament, they transformed the focus of Judaism from sacrifice to law. They accepted the Scripture (our Old Testament) as the authority because they believed the way to God was obedience to the law. Problems arose, however, because over the years they added hundreds of religious traditions to the law and thn made those traditions as important as the law. They were fierce opponents of Jesus because He refuted their interpretation of the law and many of their traditions. 

Hypocrite. A Greek word, the original meaning was to five an answer. The meaning later shifted to describe one who is pretentious or believes he is a better person then he really is. The Synoptic Gospels describe Jesus' opposition to the religious leaders who acted like hypocrites (see Matthew 6, 15, 22-24; Mark 7; Luke 11-12).

BACKGROUND

As the first book of the New Testament, Matthew introduced Jesus Christ: "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1, NKJV). Presented as a proclamation of Good News, the Gospel of Matthew establishes Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel, and the world's Savior. 

The Gospel of Matthew records the birth of Jesus to Mary, who was a virgin; her subsequent marriage to Joseph; the wise men who came to visit the infant Jesus; and the fleeing of Joseph and Mary to Egypt after an angel of the Lord warned Joseph to take his family there for protection. The Gospel of Matthew describes the birth of Jesus as fulfilling prophecy. "So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel'" (from vv. 22-23, NKJV). 

Jesus taught His disciples and, through the Word of God, teaches us how to live and then how to share with others the way to become His followers. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (from 28:19-20, NKJV). 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. How were the religious leaders using a tradition to excuse breaking God's law (Matthew 15:3-6)?

2. What prophecy by Isaiah does Jesus say fits the hypocritical actions of the religious leaders (vv. 7-9)?

3. What sins does Jesus say come "from the heart" (v. 19)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Instead of immediately responding to the accusation regarding ceremonial hand washing, Jesus took the opportunity to discuss the hypocrisy behind the religious traditions. Relate this to the difference between the letter and the spirit of the law. 

2. Jesus' teaching was His response to the question about hand washing. His answer, however, was addressed to the multitude, not the leaders. Why?

3. Are there any traditions practiced by Apostolics that have been give precedence over or have no clear basis in God's Word? If so, what are these traditions? What is the result of holding traditions above spiritual truths?

4. What is your response to Carl (In Focus)? Support your response with Scripture. 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Our culture hold traditions high. Everything from school colors to "lucky baseball socks" can represent traditions that are accepted without knowing their meaning. People sometimes hold their traditions on the same level as their faith. Make a list of the good, bad, and suspicious traditions that have crept into religious practices. Is there any spiritual significance or danger in any of the  traditions you have listed? If so, what should be done?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

What traditions in the church or your family have been a help or hindrance to your spiritual walk? Create a list of steps to either return the negative traditions to their proper point of reference or rid yourself of them. 

(Except from the Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.)