13 Aug 2014; Mat 15

13 Aug 2014; Mat 15

Mat 15:1-20 Jesus spoke against the Pharisee and the scribes on the issue of washing hands before eating. Whose rules was that?

The washing of hands is required before eating a meal at which bread is served. One reason for hand washing is purely mundane: to clean them before eating. The origin of this law, however, is biblical (Exodus 30:17-21). Moses was commanded to make a copper laver and to place it at the entrance to the alter area so that Aaron and his sons could wash their hands before approaching the alter to offer sacrifices. Verse 20 concludes, ". . .and it shall be for them a statute forever." The washing of hands makes them ritually pure. (Reference from http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Hand_Washing.html)

Jesus questioned the intention of washing hand - it is to make them ritually pure. But to be pure is not about ritually pure, it is not about physically clean, it is also not about traditionally we are religious enough to follow rules.

I was reading the on going trial of misusing church building funds and the argument by the netizens- christian and non-christian.The argument are pit Christian against non-Christian and between church member and non church member, between different school of biblical teachings against each other as well as other school of morals.

What is Jesus saying here in Mat 15:19-20

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (Matthew 15:19-20 ESV)

It is first to look at oneself. What goes into me and what is the outcomes? Why then am I so dejected o soul? What has gone inside me and my heart that out came unhappiness and dejection?

I lift up my eyes to the hill, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the creator of heaven and earth.

What do you want O man and soul? What is the gain my life and why is there no rest - rest and be statisfied in the Lord - the one who provides, the one who give rest and the Eternal God of heaven and earth....