Traditions!

“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat.”                                                                                       Matt. 15.2

The religious authorities challenged Jesus about His disciples’ non-compliance with their traditions. Jesus countered by bringing the focus back to God. Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (v3).

This interaction occurred before the days of the church, yet the church has itself been guilty of the same fault, and repeatedly so, down through the ages, and even during present times.

Why is it that we set ourselves up against God, making rules and “traditions” that may often conflict with His Word and His holy ways.

I sense Jesus’ disappointment in this instance. It is as though He is saying “You have rejected my Father’s ways for your own demands. Your actions, and ways, are not the right ones. See this now and reform. Follow the commands of God and the ways of the Lord. Discard your own traditions where these conflict with the heavenly way, for your actions are contrary to my Father’s will.”

I do not wish to act contrary to God’s will. I know I do, and I repent of these times. I seek His forgiveness and His restoring of me to the right course.

Jesus completes this interaction and challenge with an explanation of the inapplicability of the authorities’ tradition. Their complaint was that His disciples ate without washing their hands. He points out that what enters a person does not contaminate them, as it passes through the stomach and out of the body. But what comes out of a person through the mouth, comes from the heart, and these things (such as evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, etc.), and not unwashed hands, can make a person “unclean”.

How often, I wonder, do we deny God’s rule by the imposition of our own “traditions” and agenda?

Mighty God and Loving Father,

I thank You for Your laws and commands. I repent of those times when I fail and disappoint You. I ask for Your forgiveness.

I pray that I will not be swayed by human agenda and “traditions” over Your way. Help me to guard my heart for it is the wellspring from which the fruit of my life emanates. May my heart be ever open to receive Your commands and to live them out with the fullness of all that is in me.

I want to go Your way. I commit to this. Yet I know I stumble and fall. Will I ever be free of this? Help me, Lord.

Show me Your ways in every part of my living. Lead me in those ways. Keep me in the truth. May I not be swayed by my own alien thoughts nor by the clever ways of humanity.

You are Lord, God Almighty. I swear my allegiance to You. Receive me anew today, and lead me forth in Your ways, in Jesus’ name I ask.                  Amen.