One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived
from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples failed to
follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. (The Jews, especially
the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands,
as required by their ancient traditions. Similarly, they don't eat anything
from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of
many traditions they have clung to--such as their ceremonial washing of cups,
pitchers, and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked
him, "Why don't your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat
without first performing the hand-washing ceremony." Jesus replied,
"You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he
wrote, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from
me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from
God.' For you ignore God's law and substitute your own tradition." Then he
said, "You skillfully sidestep God's law in order to hold on to your own
tradition. Mark 7:1-9
 |
| Hand washing station in a Jerusalem hotel. Follow the tradition--the ritual of pouring water over one's hands. |
Traditions. Customs…rituals…manner
of doing things. The way that the Jews followed the law—beyond what God
prescribed. Yes—beyond what was expected. Jesus was accusing the Pharisees of skillfully sidestep God's law in order
to hold on to your own tradition. They were putting
their traditions ahead of God’s laws…the Ten Commandments. Who were they to
decide what was above God’s commands? Why should Jesus disciples…or anyone…ignore God’s law and substitute their own
traditions?
Do we do that
today? Do we put our traditions ahead of God’s laws? Think of an example? If
you can, leave a comment on this page.
Prayer
~ Lord Jesus—help us to see ourselves and our actions as You see us and the
things we do. May we not follow “traditions” but may all that we think, say and
do be in God’s will and bring honor and glory to You…and to the Father and Holy
Spirit as well.
Daily
Bible Reading: Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122
© 2018 Text and
photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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