Tradition or God’s Word?
Matthew 15:1-11, 17-20
A tradition is a belief, custom, story or practice handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth or demonstration. In my family, we have traditions that we practice – some silly, some more serious, but all meaningful to us. On Easter, we have an egg hunt, even though my nephew and niece are almost 15 and 17; the same niece and nephew receive a jar of dill pickles from my father each Christmas; and before the Christmas meal each year with my extended family, we read the Christmas story. They are part of the fabric of our lives together.
Tradition exists also in our religious practices. Many traditions are good. In some cases, however, the tradition takes precedence over worship and obedience to Scripture. While the initial thought behind the tradition was meaningful, it has long been lost.
In Matthew 15, Jesus was challenged by religious leaders because His disciples were breaking a tradition of the elders. This tradition was one of many written to interpret the Mosaic law. It was not the law, but had come to be considered just as important. Jesus’ response was to admonish those same leaders for using tradition, not law, to neglect their responsibility to their parents – which WAS law! They were ignoring a clear command.
How should we evaluate our traditions? Look at them in light of what Scripture says. Do they contradict Scripture? Override it? If so, get rid of it! While tradition can add meaning to worship, and to life, there is no tradition so important that it should cause us to act in a manner that contradicts the Word of God.
Jesus also addressed the issue of hypocrisy in these passages – a theme also seen repeatedly in the Old Testament. In fact, Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13. As we evaluate our traditions, we must also look at the motivation for carrying them out. Is it ritual – going through the motions – or is our heart involved? We can know about God, we can know about religious practices, but unless we know God, all our religious activity is in vain. We are as hypocritical as the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.
Continuing His teaching, Jesus explained that tradition (again, not law) was not nearly as important as a pure heart. We probably have all seen outwardly attractive people demonstrate unattractive behavior. We quickly realized they were not nearly as attractive as we first thought!
The consistency of our outward behavior and our words are a reflection of what is on the inside. And what is on the inside will always be more important than what is seen outwardly. Our hearts and motives must be pure. That will come from a relationship with our Savior, not tradition.
Register– Lessons in the BSL series for the spring quarter are being written by Laurie Register, executive director-treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union, SCBC.