Chapter 54
FOR THE SAKE OF TRADITION
Matthew 15:1-9
Before we begin let us pray and ask our Lord for His blessing upon this study.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Almighty God we ask You to please bless this study of Your Word. Please reveal to us the ways in which we may be nullifying Your Word or commandments for the sake of our traditions, customs and ordinances. Please grant us a spirit of repentance so we can forsake our ways and truly give ourselves to You and Your desires.
Amen
INTRODUCTION
We begin our study by reading about the time some Pharisees and teachers of the Law confronted Jesus with the tradition of the washing of hands. The passage of interest for this study is in,
[1] Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, [2] “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
In an attempt to discredit Jesus, the Pharisees and scribes (who were the teachers of the Law) challenged Him by asking: “Why did His disciples violate the tradition of the Jewish faith?” The specific issue was the tradition imposed by the elders that no one was to eat without first washing their hands. As we will find in Mark 7:3 below, not only were the people required to wash their hands before eating, but it was also to be performed in a prescribed manner.
As a matter of fact this tradition of washing also encompassed the washing of cups, bowls, plates, etc. To see this let us read about the same incident between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes as it is recorded in,
Mark 7:1-5
[1] Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. [2] Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. [3] For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. [4] When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. [5] Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
The issue of the washing of hands was not about good health. To see this let us read God’s command with respect to this subject as recorded in,
Leviticus 11:44
[44] For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
And,
Leviticus 15:11
[11] And whomever the one who has the discharge touches, and has not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening.
The issue raised by the Pharisees and scribes was that of not obeying the traditions imposed by the leaders and elders of the Jewish faith. This tradition was developed with the belief that somehow eating with unwashed hands would defile them. According to the book: “The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah1” this tradition was an unscriptural extension and exaggeration of the following commands to keep oneself holy and separate from ceremonially unclean things.
The thinking was that during the day to day activity one might have accidentally had contact with a ceremonially unclean animal or substance. Thus, if this residue of a ceremonially unclean animal or substance was ingested by eating with unwashed hands or utensils then that person would become ceremonially unclean, and therefore abhorrent to God.
Unfortunately, in developing these traditions or man-made rules, the Pharisees and scribes either forgotten or ignored what God said in,
Deuteronomy 12:32
[32] “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
With the above in mind, let us now return to the Gospel according to Matthew and read Jesus’ response to the Pharisees and scribes.
Matthew 15:3-9
[3] He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? [4] For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death. But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— [6] then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. [7] Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: [8] ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. [9] And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.””
The key verse for this study in Jesus’ response as recorded in,
Matthew 15:3
[3] He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
In other words, Jesus told the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law that for the sake of their man-made traditions and religious rules not only were they transgressing God’s commandments and statutes but were also teaching others to do the same.
To see how this issue may manifest itself in our lives, we will:
1. Review five examples of how man-made religious traditions and rules violate God’s commands.
2. Discover that for us to worship God in truth and spirit, Jesus Christ set us free from these man-made religious rules and traditions.
We now begin by exploring just
FIVE EXAMPLES OF HOW MAN-MADE RULES OR TRADITIONS CAN LEAD US TO TRANGRESS GOD’S COMMANDS
The examples we will review are:
1. Excessive financial commitment to church activities and organization.
2. Pledges and oaths.
3. Excessive financial commitment to charities.
4. Excessive commitment of our time to religious activities or groups.
5. Divisions.
The first example is the one of,
EXCESSIVE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH ORGANIZATION
To read what Jesus said on this subject let us reread from,
Matthew 15:4-6
[4] For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death. [5] But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— [6] then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
Let us notice the following verses,
4 … God has commanded all of us to honor our father and mother.
5-6a … However, by the excessive giving and commitment of our finances for the up keep of the church buildings and its associated activities, we may not be able to adequately provide the monies needed to help with the care and feeding of our parents.
6b … Thus, by taking from what our parents need for their care and feeding and giving it to the church we have transgressed God’s command to honor our father and mother.
This also applies to our helping those who help provide us with our spiritual nourishment.
This brings us to the second example, which is,
PLEDGES AND OATHS
As we search the Bible for God’s commands concerning this topic we first find that,
We Are To Avoid Going into Debt for Others
To see this let us read from,
Proverbs 22:26-27
[26] Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; [27] If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
We are to Refrain from Swearing or the Taking of Oaths
To see this let us go to the beatitudes and read from,
Matthew 5:33-37
[3] “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ [3] But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; [35] nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. [37] But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Thus, when ministries ask us to sign pledge cards or ask us to make a commitment to give a specific periodic amount of our finances for their cause, they are asking us to violate God’s commands.
If a ministry’s cause is truly of God, He can and will provide the resources without asking us to transgress His commandments. Consider the example of George Miller, who, in the 19th century, without advertising his daily needs, provided housing, food and clothing to thousands of homeless children living in Great Britain.
Summary
Before we move on to the next example let us summarize the message for this portion of our study. To do this let us read the following exhortation from Paul’s letter to the Romans,
Romans 13:8
[8] Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
The third example also concerns itself with our finances. This example is
THE EXCESSIVE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO CHARITIES
To explore this example, we will review three main Biblical principles.
The first principle is that:
We are to Help Those in Need
This principle or command of God is clearly taught throughout the Bible. For example let us read from,
James 2:14-17
[14] What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
The second Biblical principle is that,
We Are To Be Cheerful Givers
In other words, our giving is to be what is within our hearts. Thus, our giving is not to be dictated to us by the elders or to be a contest to impress others. To see this let us first read from,
2 Corinthians 9:7
[7] So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Let us notice the following:
7a … The amount we are to give is not a fixed amount or fixed percentage set by the elders. No, it is to be whatever the Holy Spirit places within our heart.
7b … We are not to give grudgingly or out of compulsion but willingly and cheerfully, that is out of love and concern.
To see that we are not to give so as to impress others, let us go to Jesus’ sermon on the mountain and read what He said about our charitable deeds. The passage of interest is in,
Matthew 6:1-4
[1] “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. [2] Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [3] But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
The third Biblical principle is that,
Our Giving Should not go beyond what we can Afford
In other words, our zeal to help the needy must be tempered by what we can actually afford. To see this, let us prayerfully consider the instruction Paul gave to the church in Corinth about their wanting to help the needy in Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 8:10-15
[10] And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; [11] but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. [12] For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. [13] For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; [14] but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. [15] As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.
Let us notice the following verses,
11c … The believers in Corinth were to provide their gifts for the Jerusalem needy in accordance with their means. In other words, they were to give what they could afford.
12 … Our charitable gifts are acceptable in accordance with what we have, but not acceptable if we give beyond our means.
13 … The reason we are not give beyond our means is twofold: (1) We are not to give beyond our means so that in the process of our giving we do not also become needy or hard pressed. (2) We are not to deprive our families of their needs. To see we this, let us read from,
1 Timothy 5:7-8
[7] And these things command, that they may be blameless. [8] But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Let us now return to our passage in 2 Corinthians and notice verse.
15…To illustrate this principle of Christian giving, the Holy Spirit quotes from Chapter 16 of Exodus. In this chapter, Moses recorded for us how, during their exodus from Egypt, every morning the people had to go out in the desert floor and gather manna (the bread that for 40 years God miraculously gave them to eat). After they gathered the manna and distributed it within the camp, each one had an omer of manna for that day's sustenance. In other words, he who gathered much did not have too much and he who gathered little did not lack food. To see this we go to,
Exodus 16:18
[18] So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need.
The fourth example of how church religious traditions and man-made rules can lead us to transgress God’s commands is the one of,
EXCESSIVE COMMITMENT OF OUR TIME TO MINISTRIES
It is true that if we have the time we are to support or get involved in good, wholesome ministries. However, this commitment is to be tempered within the following Biblical principles.
The first and foremost Biblical principle is that,
We must spend Quality Time with our Lord and Savior
To see this, let us read what Jesus once said to Martha as it is recorded in,
[38] Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. [40] But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” [41] And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. [42] But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Let us notice the following verses,
38-40 … As a good host, Martha spent her time serving the people. However, her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to what He said. Martha, feeling frustrated that she was the only one trying to serve the people, asked Jesus to instruct Mary to help with the serving.
41 … Jesus told Martha she was distracted by many things. It is the same today. In an effort to meet the various needs of others, a person can become completely immersed and distracted by serving them through good and wholesome ministries.
42 … Because of all her serving, Martha was distracted from listening to Jesus. Consequently, Jesus told Martha then and now us that the most important activity is to follow the example of Mary. Specifically, in order for us to hear and listen to what Jesus has to say to us, we have to spend quality time with Him in the reading of His Word. This time should be in a peaceful, quiet place and away from distractions.
This same Biblical principle also extends to our families.
First of all,
We are to Love our Spouses
To see this let us read God’s command with respect to the relationship a husband and wife is to have with each other. To do this we go to,
Ephesians 5:22-33
[22] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. [24] Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, [26] that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, [27] that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. [28] So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. [30] For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. [31] “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” [32] This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. [33] Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
In reflecting upon the above instruction, it becomes clear that it takes a fair amount of time for this relationship to be developed, maintained and grow.
Finally, the Bible instructs us to,
Bring up our Children in the ways of our Lord
To see this, we go to the Old Testament and read what our God has to say about teaching the children. The passage of interest is in,
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
[4] “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! [5] You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. [6] “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Let us notice the following verse,
7 … God commands the parents to teach their children about Him. Notice: The time He instructs us to give our children is when we are sitting or walking with them. It is also to be given when they get up in the morning and when they go to bed in the evening. As you can see, God’s command for us to teach our children about Him will take a good portion of our time.
SUMMARY
In reflecting upon this portion of our study, we discover that our first priority is to spend quality time with our Lord and Savior. Next we need to invest the time required to develop, maintain and grow in the Biblical relationship with our spouses. Finally, we must spend quality time to instruct and bring up our children, whom God entrusted to us, in His ways. After we have complied with God’s commandments, then, whatever time remains can be offered up to minister to the needs of others.
The fifth and our last example is the issue of,
DIVISIONS
Perhaps the best way to explore this issue or topic is by reading the admonition that was given to the church in Corinth. Before we do this it must be pointed out that what we are about to read was not written to non-believers. What we are about to read was written to those who are Christians, to those who are sanctified or set apart in Jesus Christ.
With this in mind, let us now read the section in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians that deals with divisions that were within the Christian church. It is in,
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
[10] Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. [11] For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. [12] Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Let us notice the following verses,
10 … The Holy Spirit commands there should be no divisions, which are schisms or dissensions, within His church. Within a specific congregation of believers this can take the form of various ministries quarrelling with each other. For example, the members of the choir may think and behave like they are more spiritual and more important than ministries such as visiting the sick and/or needy, etc.
12-13 … Unfortunately, more significant divisions and quarrels had developed within the church at Corinth. To first refresh our minds about those type of divisions, let us reread,
1 Corinthians 1:12-13
[12] Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
To see how this issue of division relates to today’s church at large, let us reread the above Scripture and insert just a few of the many divisions that are seen in the present day church.
[12] Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am a Lutheran,” or “I am a Methodist,” or “I am a Roman Catholic,” or “I am a Baptist.” [13] Is Christ divided? “Was Martin Luther crucified for you?” Or “Were you baptized in the name of John Wesley?” etc.
The answer to all the above questions is NO! We are Christians! We may worship and pray in various congregations or gatherings. However, all true born again-believers have given their heart to Jesus Christ, who was crucified for the forgiveness of our sins. All true born-again believers in Jesus Christ have been baptized in Him so we can live a new life and be able to freely worship and follow Him.
Yes, we do have the freedom to attend Christian gatherings or congregations held in various places. However, we are not to set up schisms or divisions that divide the true body of Jesus Christ.
So what is the point or overall message to be gained from this study? Perhaps it is best summarized as,
JESUS CHRIST HAS SET US FREE
To see this let us read what Jesus said and is now saying to those who believe in Him. His words of interest for this study can be found in,
John 8:31-32
[31] Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. [32] And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
It is true that the above Words of Jesus normally refer to the freedom we have from the power of sin and the pangs of hell. However, Jesus is also telling us that we are free from the power of tradition. We are also free from the religious laws and rules of man. He has done this so we are now able to serve God in the newness of the Holy Spirit.
In other words, we are living in the days Jesus talked about to the Samaritan woman. To refresh our memories let us read what He said to her as recorded in,
John 4:23-24
[23] But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. [24] God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
CLOSING
Before we close let us return to the theme of this study and reread the conversation, concerning man-made traditions, Jesus had with the Pharisees and scribes.
Matthew 15:1-9
[1] Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, [2] “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” [3] He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? [4] For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death. [5] But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— [6] then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. [7] Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: [8] “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. [9] And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.””
We now close this study by prayerfully reading from,
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
[23] Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Let us pray