A Surprising Response

The religious leaders during this passage were leading the people astray. The leaders were leading the people falsely. They were told that they did not need to give their parents money if they gave the money to the temple. Jesus said that is an abomination. Parents have a responsibility to take care of their children and children are to take care of their parents. Hand washing will not make us clean before God. Sin not a matter of externals. God’s law is designed to teach us that we need a Savior. We are not to reassure people that they are okay when they are not. We are, by nature, all born sinners. No one needs to tell us how to steal or how to be selfish. If we are serious about following God, we will find out things are not as we expect them. Jesus came first to offer salvation to the Jews, then to all people. God does not tempt us to do sin, however, God does test us over and over. The Canaanite woman kept asking Jesus to heal her daughter even after God tested her faith. God does everything He promises, He does not always do what we want, but His will is always good. We must keep knocking, keep asking, keep praying. We must persevere.