Was Jesus Out Of Touch With Reality?

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.” “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.” [Matthew 15.15-20] 

Are we to conclude here that Jesus was ignorant of biology? In a world gone wild on "eating right" Jesus' words stand in stark contrast. Modern science traces all sorts of things we eat to certain diseases and physical conditions. I mean, it's science, right?

Jesus says however that evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander are what defile us. In fact, what Jesus said coincides perfectly with what Deuteronomy 28.15-68 says about disobedience to God: all manner of sickness results in addition to all manner of loss otherwise.

I know "sincere Christian people" who are consumed with "eating right" - even religious about it. They justify their actions with both science and God's Word:

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. [1 Corinthians 6.19-20]

The thing is, 1 Corinthians 6.19-20 is not at all about "eating right" but instead the context of that entire chapter is about moral purity (read all of 1 Corinthians 6)! 

Man's sickness, weakness, and disease is NOT the result of what he eats. Jesus unapologetically contradicts such a notion (science be damned) saying man's defilement (that is what sickness and disease are referred to in the Bible) is the direct result of evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. In fact, the apostle Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 6 (if we actually read the whole chapter).

The only real Biblical warning concerning our diet is not found in what we eat, but in how much we eat. Gluttony is repeatedly prohibited in the Bible.

What if people so bent on "eating right" spent that time instead in repentance and devotion to following Jesus? What if people gave as much effort to Matthew 16.24 as they did their diet?

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Was Jesus out of touch with reality? I don't think so.

Father, help us see the futility of "eating right." Help us instead see the absolute necessity of giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. So be it.