Matthew 15: True and False Faith (7)
Pray Psalm 132.6, 7.
Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
We found it in the fields of the woods.
Let us go into His tabernacle;
Let us worship at His footstool.
Sing Psalm 132.6, 7.
Finlandia: Be Still My Soul
The word throughout the chosen nation spread,
to Ephrata, and in the fields of Jaar:
“Now let us go,” the faithful people said,
“and worship where our Savior’s dwellings are!
Around His footstool let our worship spread;
come, gather to Him, all from near and far!”
Read and meditate on Matthew 15.1-39.
Meditate on Jesus’ teaching about the heart (vv. 18-20).
Prepare.
1. In this chapter, who demonstrates false faith? What makes their faith false?
2. Who demonstrates true faith? What makes their faith true?
Meditate.
In Matthew 15 we’re in the middle of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and Matthew uses this chapter to clarify the matter of faith, what it is, and what it isn’t.
The religious leaders used faith as a weapon to control the people, rather than as a means to shepherd and edify them, and to lead them into the fellowship of the Lord. They set aside the Word of God (vv. 1-3)—even as they gave lip-service to trusting it—so that their traditions and programs could prevail.
But their false faith did not sneak up on God, Who called them out long ago, and warned us to beware of those who draw near to Him with their mouths, but whose hearts are far from Him (vv. 8, 9). They may seem very holy; they may be running very efficient programs; and many people may be following their lead. But false faith was false faith; and wherever people depart from the Word for their own projects, programs, and prowess, there true believers will turn away.
True faith is a matter of the heart, of what we earnestly long for and desire. True faith persists, not so much for one’s own sake, but for what is right and good and loving – what is according to the good and upright plan of God. True faith results in worship, as we see from the crowds who surrounded Jesus as He healed them and their friends. True faith sharpens our focus on Jesus, so that we marvel at His greatness, and by seeing Him more clearly, give glory and honor to God. And true faith grows—sometimes slowly, like the disciples who hesitated when Jesus expressed His desire to feed the multitudes.
How does our faith measure up to the examples of true faith Matthew presents in this chapter? Let it be our earnest prayer every day that the Lord Jesus might increase and purify our faith, for then we will be His disciples indeed.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good;
and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.
For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’
and not do the things which I say?” (Lk. 6.45, 46).
Why? Could it be that we have idols galore and other fish to fry?
Could it be that our faith is not what it should be?
We need only look at Jesus, our beloved Savior and Lord, to see what true faith looks like.
Does our faith look like His? Do we care like He did? Do we have compassion like His?
There were four thousand men, plus women and children, in Jesus’ Presence.
Four thousand-plus lame, blind, mute, maimed, and other maladies aplenty.
Three days to accomplish those many healings of body, mind, and spirit.
Three days to look into their eyes, to touch their infirmities, to care, and to love.
And then Jesus had the strength of heart and character of spirit to have compassion upon their hunger.
Can you imagine?
Fixing a small meal for a sick friend can wear a person out.
Or how about cutting the lawn for a needy neighbor?
Or running an errand for an elderly friend?
We are just about done-in for the day.
And yet our beloved Jesus, healed, loved, and fed over four thousand souls. And then tells us:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also;
and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father…
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper,
that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of Truth,
Whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;
but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (Jn. 14.12, 16, 17).
Producing faith and its fruit—looks a lot like we are without excuse.
Yet the Holy Spirit is with and in us to enable us for this Kingdom work—
purposefully parsing out the power of God.
“You Who still the noise of the seas,
the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples…
You crown the year with Your goodness,
and Your paths drip with abundance.
They drop on the pastures of the wilderness,
and the little hills rejoice on every side.
The pastures are clothed with flocks;
the valleys also are covered with grain;
they shout for joy,
they also sing” (Ps. 65.7, 11-13).
We are called to “drip/drop” God’s abundance onto the wilderness of our Personal Mission Field.
Daily, with the strength that only God can give us (Ps. 18.1) so that the lost, blind, maimed, lame, and mute will shout for joy and also sing because of the goodness and grace of the LORD of life.
“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9.37, 38).
“Let it be our earnest prayer every day that the Lord Jesus might increase and purify our faith,
for then we will be His disciples indeed.”
Reflect.
1. What spiritual fruit has the Holy Spirit been bringing forth in you of late?
2. Which of the fruit of the indwelling Spirit (Gal. 5.22, 23) would you like to see more of in your life?
3. How’s the “drip/drop” work of grace going in your Personal Mission Field?
Be it unto thee as thou desirest. This latter clause contains a useful doctrine, that faith will obtain anything from the Lord; for so highly does He value it, that He is always prepared to comply with our wishes, so far as it may be for our advantage. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Matthew 15.28
Pray Psalm 132.11-18.
Praise God for King Jesus, Who is advancing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven; and commit your day to seeking and serving Him in all your ways.
Sing Psalm 132.11-18.
Finlandia: Be Still My Soul
Remember, LORD, the oath You swore to David;
do not turn back, do not deny Your Word:
“One of your sons, with your throne I will favor,
if he shall keep My cov’nant evermore,
and walk within My testimonies ever;
thus he shall ever rule by Israel’s LORD.”
God dwells among us, and He will forever,
to meet our needs and clothe us with His grace.
He has to us sent Jesus Christ, our Savior—
beloved, eternal light and resting-place.
His foes are banished from His Presence ever,
but we shall reign with Him before His face.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues our readings from the book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Our Crosfigell teaching letter continues new series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision columnconsiders questions all church leaders must address. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
