Be. Become. Do. - Day 13
Day 13 - Wednesday, September 27
Read Matthew 15
Highlight
Two important cultural contexts appear here in chapter 15. The first is found while Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They approach Jesus, asking why his disciples do not keep the Jewish tradition of washing their hands before eating. Jesus strategically answers by asking his own question that leads to reveal their lack of understanding. Many of the Jewish laws were based on things being clean or unclean. Often if you touched or were in contact with something unclean, you would be cut off from the community for a day or days before being able to complete the required sacrifice and washes to be claimed cleaned again. For the leaders, they believed by having unclean hands you would defile yourself and become unclean. Jesus said it is not what goes in that makes you unclean, rather it is what comes out of your mouth that defiles you, because it comes from the heart.
Second, Jesus heals a Canaanite woman's daughter. The Old Testament law makes it clear that there is a separation of Jews and Gentiles, especially from the Canaanites who were an ancient enemy. And Jesus even comments that his mission is for Israel, implying that the people of God were to receive his healing and message first. But this woman shows her faith by insisting that Jesus is capable and able to heal her daughter. Because of her faith, Jesus grants her request and the daughter is healed. This is one of a few accounts that Jesus is shown healing a Gentile.
Jesus is showing that it is not as much about upholding tradition, as it is about transforming your heart and seeking compassion.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Matthew 15
Highlight
Two important cultural contexts appear here in chapter 15. The first is found while Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They approach Jesus, asking why his disciples do not keep the Jewish tradition of washing their hands before eating. Jesus strategically answers by asking his own question that leads to reveal their lack of understanding. Many of the Jewish laws were based on things being clean or unclean. Often if you touched or were in contact with something unclean, you would be cut off from the community for a day or days before being able to complete the required sacrifice and washes to be claimed cleaned again. For the leaders, they believed by having unclean hands you would defile yourself and become unclean. Jesus said it is not what goes in that makes you unclean, rather it is what comes out of your mouth that defiles you, because it comes from the heart.
Second, Jesus heals a Canaanite woman's daughter. The Old Testament law makes it clear that there is a separation of Jews and Gentiles, especially from the Canaanites who were an ancient enemy. And Jesus even comments that his mission is for Israel, implying that the people of God were to receive his healing and message first. But this woman shows her faith by insisting that Jesus is capable and able to heal her daughter. Because of her faith, Jesus grants her request and the daughter is healed. This is one of a few accounts that Jesus is shown healing a Gentile.
Jesus is showing that it is not as much about upholding tradition, as it is about transforming your heart and seeking compassion.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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