Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.6 Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Jesus makes a distinction between the command of God and the Pharisees’ traditions.
v.6 Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Jesus makes a distinction between the command of God and the Pharisees’ traditions.
v.8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Instead of engaging in heartfelt worship the Pharisees expected God to be pleased with mere rituals. Don’t think you can go through the motions and impress God.
v.8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Instead of engaging in heartfelt worship the Pharisees expected God to be pleased with mere rituals. Don’t think you can go through the motions and impress God.
v.12 Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?
This is almost funny! As if Jesus would not have known.
v.12 Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?
This is almost funny! As if Jesus would not have known.
v.13-14 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides.”
Jesus says, “leave them” (v.14). Not confront, rebuke or excommunicate just leave them. God will pull them up by the roots in due course.
v.13-14 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides.”
Jesus says, “leave them” (v.14). Not confront, rebuke or excommunicate just leave them. God will pull them up by the roots in due course.
v.18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
Our attitudes and motives are more important than food and drink. The words that come from our mouths start in our hearts. Our heart determines our words.
v.18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
Our attitudes and motives are more important than food and drink. The words that come from our mouths start in our hearts. Our heart determines our words.
v.21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
It would appear that it wasn’t Jesus intention to minister in this area, but rather he was looking for some relief from the opposition.
v.21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
It would appear that it wasn’t Jesus intention to minister in this area, but rather he was looking for some relief from the opposition.
v.24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
Jesus is playing “hard to get”, thus drawing out her faith. Shortly afterwards he healed a large number of Gentiles on the east side of the Sea of Galilee (v.29-31).
v.24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
Jesus is playing “hard to get”, thus drawing out her faith. Shortly afterwards he healed a large number of Gentiles on the east side of the Sea of Galilee (v.29-31).
v.27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
At this time, Jews referred to Gentiles as dogs. This woman acknowledges that she has no merit in her heritage, or anywhere for that matter, but she throws herself on the mercy and grace of God.
v.27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
At this time, Jews referred to Gentiles as dogs. This woman acknowledges that she has no merit in her heritage, or anywhere for that matter, but she throws herself on the mercy and grace of God.