Jesus Teaches on Tradition: Read Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13

People often follow traditions. There are times when we follow a tradition not knowing where the tradition comes from. In the church there are many traditions. In fact many times the people in the church think that the tradition is found in the scriptures. For example in traditional churches the worship service usually starts at 11:00 a.m. This is based on the time of day that farmers could get to church after doing their morning chores; not something that is prescribed in the bible. In this article I want to address traditions that might be contrary to scripture, and they may also prevent the progress of the church. The two passages of scriptures above tell the same story. Mark’s account is more detailed, likely because he is writing to a Gentile church that does not know Jewish culture, the Law and the religious traditions. Before I begin to address this story let me tell you about an occasion that took place in our home on Thanksgiving Day when our daughter was still a small child. The family had sat down at the dinner table. My sister-in-law and her daughter and my mother-in-law, Granny, were present. After everyone had sat down my daughter announced that it was time to say the blessing. She said the blessing. My mother-in-law looked at her sternly and asked in a stern voice, “Why did you do that?” Abra did not respond, and I decided not to say anything, and we continued with the meal. So, why did Granny challenge Abra? It was based on tradition. In those days it was usually the father or some male who asked the blessing and Abra had violated a long held tradition. So, let me answer Granny’s question. When I was growing up daddy usually asked the blessing and the children followed by reciting a bible verse. If we had guests daddy might ask the guest to ask the blessing. So, I was not bound by the tradition that it had to be the male head of the house to say the blessing. My wife Marilyn and I shared the responsibilities of the house and we included our children. One day I told Abra that whenever we ate at the table as a family she would ask the blessing or she could choose someone else to do it. I wanted her to feel included. I wanted her to learn that she too could pray and talk to God. I wanted her to learn to take responsibility. I wanted her to learn to make choices. I wanted her to learn to use authority. I was concerned about my daughter’s maturity. My mother-in-law was concerned about traditions. Let me ask you the reader, which of the two choices do you think will help a child to mature; to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18, NASB)? Let us now look at the story. The Pharisees and scribes had come from Jerusalem to see the things that the people were telling about Jesus. They noticed that Jesus’ disciples ate their food without washing their hands. This was a gross violation of the practices of the Pharisees and the Jews. They asked Jesus, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands” (Mark 7:5, NASB)? Did you get that? They admit that washing hands is a tradition passed down by the elders. Remember, over the years the religious leaders had made additions and addendums to the Law. They judged people by these traditions, but many of their traditions altered God’s original intent of the Law. In reply to their question Jesus proceeds to point out that their worship of God is meaningless. He quotes Isaiah 29:13: ‘“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. “But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of Men”’ (vv. 6-7). Jesus said to them, ‘“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men’” (v. 8). In verses 9-13 Jesus gives an example of how they violated the Law by creating and holding to their own traditions. The Law required them to take care of their parents (Exod. 20:12; Lev. 25:35-43) but they followed a tradition that said that they could take the money needed to take care of their parents and say that they were giving it to God. Jesus said that they invalidated the word of God by handing down their traditions. Let me return to the occasion of Thanksgiving Dinner mentioned above. Abra asked the blessing and Granny became upset. Abra was out of order according to the tradition that she thought that Abra should honor. How does this stack up against the Law and the teaching of Jesus? The Law says that children are to obey their parents. Abra was doing what her parents had assigned her to do. Moses commanded the parents to teach their children at the optimal teaching moment (Deut. 6:7-9) and the purpose of teaching the children is that they will know what God expects of them. They will know who God is and how they will learn to obey God. They will know how God works in the lives of His people (vv. 10-25). Was Abra being taught about the Lord; to honor Him, obey Him, and to communicate with Him? How many people have you seen in the churches that are uncomfortable praying? Were they ever given an opportunity to pray in their homes? Were they held back by tradition? Finally, we should honor traditions that are in agreement with the word of God. The celebration of the Lord’s Supper (communion) is a prime example. Churches have different traditions of when and how they will do so, but they all are following the commandment of Jesus, “do this in remembrance of Me” (Lk. 22:19 NASB; see 1 Cor. 11:24-26). Traditions are a way of teaching values, principles, and history. They help to bring about stability and unity among the people. Traditions make known the expectations of individuals and the community as a whole. Thus, traditions that honor God and His commandments should be observed. Traditions that invalidate the commandments of God should be done away with. Some traditions are neither good nor bad in and of themselves. The question is do they help the people to grow in their relationship with Christ. Do they promote or hinder the mission that Christ has given to the individual and the church?