The Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem and asked why the disciples broke with the traditions of the elders – washing hands. Jesus asked why they break God’s commandment for their tradition. He applied Isaiah 29:13 to them. What defiles people is not what they eat, but what comes out of their mouth as the overflow of their heart: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander – not washing hands. Jesus went to Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman oppressed by a demon cried for Jesus to have mercy on her. Jesus came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. She said, “Lord, help me.” He said it’s not right to take what belongs to the children and throw it to dogs. She said, “even the dogs eat crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Jesus healed her because of her faith. Jesus healed many, and the crowds glorified the God of Israel. Jesus had compassion on the crowds, was unwilling to send the people away hungry, took 7 loaves and 2 fish and fed them. Everyone ate and was satisfied, they took up 7 baskets of broken pieces. He then sent away the crowds, and he got in a goat to the region of Magadan.
Behold the glorious power of Christ. He is able to heal unclean hearts, help those oppressed by demons, heal people’s sicknesses, and is able to feed all who come to Him. Jesus loves people. Without Christ we are like sheep without a shepherd. We need protection from the world the flesh and the devil. Christ is the sovereign protector of His people who will save them from their sin and God’s wrath.