What About Tradition

When we think tradition usually holiday traditions come to mind: opening 1 gift Christmas Eve, having to eat specific dishes at Thanksgiving, etc.

But traditions weave all throughout our lives: playing of the National Anthem prior to sporting events, first day of school pictures, family meal each week, vacationing in a certain place, watching certain TV shows, dressing up for church, and many more…

Matthew 15:1–20 CSB

1 Then Jesus was approached by Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, who asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “Why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition? 4 For God said: Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death. 5 But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or mother, “Whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift committed to the temple,” 6 he does not have to honor his father.’ In this way, you have nullified the word of God because of your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said: 8 This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 9 They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands.” 10 Summoning the crowd, he told them, “Listen and understand: 11 It’s not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth—this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came up and told him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 Then Peter said, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 “Do you still lack understanding?” he asked. 17 “Don’t you realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander. 20 These are the things that defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.”

There will always be those with an opinion on how it should be done.

The tradition itself is not necessarily a bad thing.

There is a difference between man-mad tradition and doctrine.

Tradition often keeps us from doing what we ought to do.

On a side note: the disciples pointed out that Jesus has offended the religious leaders… Jesus basically told them “Tough!” - if they are offended by the truth it is because they refuse to hear it, or they find their opinion more important.

The heart is revealed by our words and actions.

The HOW is important but not at the expense of WHAT we do for Jesus.