Matthew 15:1-20

Be Still: Father help me as I read your Word. By your Spirit, I want to become more like Jesus today. Amen.

Read: Matthew 15:1-20

What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them. (v11)

Encounter: There is a difference on one hand between tidying/shoving things into that house cupboard that we all have, and, on the other, doing a proper sort and a deep clean. I know which I tend to do more of! In our house we call it ‘the cupboard of doom’! 

We read today about the difference between being ceremonially and religiously clean (which, in the tradition Jesus was speaking into, involved a lot of physical cleansing) and the spiritual process of being made clean in our hearts and minds. 

In his ministry to us, Jesus does not want the quick tidy/shove things away approach, although we might look OK on the outside. Rather, Jesus wants to address the deeper and much more serious need of the clutter and stuff inside. He comes to clean us from the inside out – from our sin. If you’re thinking you could save time by less washing, I would still recommend washing your hands before you eat! But Jesus is saying that he has come to rescue us and heal us from the mess and uncleanness in our own hearts and minds. 

 Apply: What comes out of your mouth today, in terms of how you are and what you say to those around you, shows up what is in your heart. Give the Holy Spirit room to do a deep clean of your heart and mind. Give him access to every corner of your whole self. Let the light in. Allow him to fill you with his love again - and let God’s love overflow. 

Devote: I’m sorry Lord for the things in my heart and mind that are not of you. Thank you for dying for me so that I might be cleansed from sin from the inside out. Holy Spirit fill and purify me again.