Day 20: Matthew 15 | 2026 Lenten Reading Plan

Thank you for joining us for the nineteenth reading in our Lenten Reading Plan. Find all the resources you need below: Read Matthew 15 on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2015&version=ESV Listen to Matthew 15: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ce42f771 Download your own Lenten Reading Plan Bookmark: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Bookmark-2601-PRINT-at-home.pdf Download the 2026 Lenten Reading Plan Study Guide: https://higherthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HT_Lenten-Reading-Plan-Study-Guide-2511.pdf In Matthew 15, Jesus confronts the Pharisees over traditions. He asks what matters more: God's commandments or traditions meant to point to Him? Traditions matter because they point to who God is, but the Pharisees miss that everything points to Jesus, who is standing right there as the fulfillment of their hopes and expectations. Jesus explains that what defiles a person isn't what goes into their mouth, but the sin of the heart. He lists what truly defiles: "Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person." Sin breaks stuff. Lives are ruined by these things. Even if they stay in your heart, is that what makes you faithful — thinking about sin but not acting on it? Instead, look to Jesus who forgives you and washes your heart clean, like Ezekiel prophesied about God ripping out the stone-dead heart and giving you a new one living one washed in baptismal waters. The Canaanite woman's faith is simple. Though Jesus initially ignores her and calls her a dog, she doesn't care about her identity. She sees only Jesus: the God who came to save sinners, even Gentiles. The crumbs from His table are enough because of who He is. Finally, Jesus feeds 4,000 in Gentile territory. This gift of salvation is for all: Jews, Gentiles, you, and me. If you feel overlooked or unworthy, understand Jesus' identity is enough. He came to save you. Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology. #higherthings #lcms #lutheran #lent If you have questions or topics that you'd like discussed on Higher Things, email them to content@higherthings.org Subscribe to our channel to get notifications when we go live: http://youtube.com/@HTgospel4all To support the work of Higher Things®, visit https://higherthings.org/morehi/giving/ For more information about Higher Things, go to http://higherthings.org ------ Join the conversation on Social Media: http://facebook.com/higherthings http://instagram.com/higherthings https://www.tiktok.com/@higherthings