Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Matthew 15:15-20 

“But Peter said to him, ‘Explain this parable to us.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.’” 

The disciples understand “sin” to be a series of unclean behaviors that separate humans from the divine holiness of God. However, at this moment, Jesus is reshaping that definition to be “idolatry,” or that which pretends to be God that is not God—therefore inflicting harm to the self, neighbor, and kingdom. Inside each of these actions is a rejection of God’s laws of love, and a selfishness that places ourselves first. With murder, we end a God-given life; with adultery and sexual immorality, we injure a God-given relationship; with theft, we disrespect the safety and property of others; with false witness and slander, we cause shame, doubt, and humiliation upon others. Do any of these sound like they honor God, and place a respect of God’s commandments, first? Certainly not. When Jesus defines sin as idolatry, it becomes much more about the intentions of our hearts that drive the actions, than the specific actions that are taken them 

You can see how this was a re-framing of sinfulness...and why it would have ruffled some feathers!  

– Pr. Alex 

Let us pray: Trustworthy God, too often we seek to make ourselves mighty, while others pay a painful cost. Reform us from these sins, and remind us to place you as first and foremost in our lives. Amen.