Matthew 15:10 says that Jesus called the crowd to him and said: "Listen and understand." In Mark 7:14, in the same situation, Jesus' spoken words go like this: "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this." What did Jesus want the people to listen to and understand?
Let's read the full story from Matthew 15:10-20, starting with verses 10-11:
"Jesus called the crowd to him and said, 'Listen and understand. What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.'" Now read the response of the Pharisees in verses 12-15, and then Jesus' explanation in verses 16-20: "Then the disciples came to him and asked, 'Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?' He replied, 'Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.' Peter said, 'Explain the parable to us.' 'Are you still so dull?' Jesus asked them. 'Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts-murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.'"
Depending on how
you think Jesus said this, your response could be either "Yikes!", "What?", or "Good to know!" This is how the story goes using these three perceptions: "The Pharisees were offended" (YIKES!). Peter needed it explained (WHAT?). Then Jesus explained it: "The things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart" (Good to know!)
How do you hear Jesus' talking with the people? What do you hear Him saying to you? Because He had just called them close so He could say something important, in what voice do you think He talked to them? Do you think He said it with love in His voice, or do you hear Him saying it sternly? Just by reading the dialog that Jesus had, I can't help but deduce that His voice probably was conversational, and kind. He had empathy in His words, so His voice was probably the same.
Jesus said these words with love in His voice after He had beckoned the people to come close so they could hear something very important. And He wants us to hear the same message, too...by listening to and understanding Him, we will be changed from the inside out...good to know!!!!
Yes, Jesus, gives a list of things that come out of a person's mouth when the heart is filled with evil, but the point of the story is about exposing the truth about where these things come from; it's not about making anyone feel bad for being bad. Jesus' words are words of instruction and insight so we won't be fooled.
Did you notice that Jesus commented that the minds of those listening were dull? There's a reason for that, and it's because He knew then and He knows now, that we easily get confused about where the truth is unless we are feasting on the Truth. When He pulled the people close, He wanted them to hear and understand where the truth lies. Just like in the story of Matthew and Mark, He doesn't want us to be blind and He doesn't want us to follow blind guides.
Instead, He wants us to feast our eyes, our ears, and mouth on Him. He wants us to eat up everything that is from Him, so we can be just like Him in how we act, how we think, how we live, and how we talk. If that isn't the best plan for living, what else is?
So today, come close to Jesus. Listen and understand that all of your needs will be filled just by drawing close to Him. Also listen and understand that because you have come close to Jesus, you will have what you need to deal with whatever problem you are dealing with today. Come close, listen, understand. You are loved by Jesus right now. Find hope in the fact that the questions you have about life and living can be answered when in the presence of your Faithful Friend!
