What Jesus Did! 'Moving Out' — Matthew 15:39

Sometimes religious insiders - people like me and other church-goers - get to thinking we have the inside track on things. We know the Scriptures. We know the songs in worship assemblies. We know the Sunday School lessons. We know the church lingo. Then along comes a series of events in Jesus' ministry that duly humbles us.

This whole series of events starts with an accusation about religious nitpicking over external signs of purity (Matthew 15:2). But Jesus says, and the episodes show, that purity and faithfulness are heart issues. Jesus is much more widely received and embraced in non-Jewish territory at this time in his ministry than he was ever embraced by the Jewish religious establishment. Those who are considered "not clean" by many Jews repeatedly prove their hunger for Jesus, God's grace, and faith.

For me, these stories are powerful reminders why we must pursue unchurched seekers and continually add new Christians to our church family. They ask questions that need to be asked. They break traditional rules so we have to examine them again to see if they're biblical. This type of new Christian often exhibits a more passionate and zealous faith. I don't know about you, but I really need to be around that kind of faith.