Traditions, Traditions . . .

Traditions, Traditions . . .

The Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

Mark 7:5 (NIV)

Families huddled together in the barn. Even though the hay was clean, the odor was strong. A noise outside caused everyone’s hearts to pound a little harder. Even the littlest children looked to the door, worry evident in their gazes. Any day officials could come and arrest them or their family members. Hundreds of years have passed, but the Amish still hold their church services in members’ homes or barns, a practice carried over from Europe centuries ago.

But the Amish aren’t the only ones who hold fast to traditions. Many of us live the way we do because that’s just the way it is. From the way I fold my towels to the way I put sheets on beds and even organize my pantry, I do those tasks in a certain way because of how I was taught.

When it comes to following church traditions, it’s important to distinguish between God’s moral laws and human traditions. Sometimes where we gather to worship, when we sit or stand, or what particular style of worship is followed is based on traditions, not on specific biblical references. One day, when we meet God in eternity, He will not want to discuss the moral implications of benches versus padded pews.

In Mark 7:5, the Pharisees weren’t necessarily worried about dirty hands. Their bigger concern was that Jesus and his disciples were not following the “tradition of the elders.” This sounds similar to a comment we’ve often heard: “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” The Pharisees took it one step further. They considered anyone who didn’t follow their traditions “unclean,” which denied those people access to God.

Jesus told them, “‘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 7:8-9).

There is nothing wrong with traditions, but you need to be careful not to hold firmly to traditions at the expense of other people. Ask God to focus your heart on what’s most important to Him.

Dear heavenly Father, help me to focus my heart on what’s most important to You. May I be firm only on what You truly desire.