Traditions of Men

 

I may seem hard to believe, but the Pharisees and the Scribes actually accused Jesus and the disciples of defiling themselves.  In Matthew chapter 15 they question Him because they saw the disciples eating bread without washing their hands…

 

“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” (Mt 15:2)

 

In their man-made oral traditions, there was an instruction about handwashing.  Around 200 A.D. written down in the Mishnah.  The tractate Yadayim, discusses the rules and significance of handwashing. The Pharisees would have considered these practices essential for maintaining spiritual cleanliness and adhering to their interpretation of the Law. So they were accusing Jesus and His followers of defiling themselves by ignoring their mandates.

 

‘Also if one of the animals dies which you have for food, the one who touches its carcass becomes unclean until evening. ‘He too, who eats some of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening, and the one who picks up its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. (Le 11:39-40)

 

Curiously enough, the Scriptures never refer to washing before meals.   Leviticus 11 deals with food handling and preparation. So, where did this idea come from?  Over the 14 centuries since Moses wrote the Pentateuch until the time of Christ, many manmade traditions sprung up.  It might seem logical to take Leviticus 11 and expand it.

 

On the way to the meal, one might pass through the marketplace and accidentally come in contact with a dead animal.  Also, those preparing the meal might not be as careful as they should… So, it would seem logical to wash before eating.  There is only one problem.  It's not in God's Word. 

 

The Pharisees were elevating their manmade traditions over the very Word of God. Jesus rejected this thinking...

 

"So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God." (Mt 15:6)

 

In the world of religion, it is quite common for traditions to grow and take hold.  Some may seem harmless, like handwashing.  But think again.  When we consider the traditions more important than the clear commands of God, we make a big mistake.  And we should not be too harsh when judging the Pharisees and Scribes.  I would imagine that in the 20 centuries since Christianity was founded, traditions have developed.  I can think of a few.  Some revolve around the ordinances of the Church, like baptism and communion. 

 

Take infant baptism, for example.  I know there may be good reasons to baptize infants, and theological arguments to defend the practice.  There is a rational explanation.  The problem is that it is not taught in Scripture.  So, if we hold to a position which has developed over time as a tradition, we may be negating the strong authority of the Word of God.  That can be a slippery slope.  If we are casual about the Word in one instance, who is to say we will not be deviating from the Word in other areas?  And how is the clear teaching on salvation, conversion, and baptism warped by baptizing infants who are not converted and who have no knowledge of the deep symbolic meaning of baptism.

 

By the way, I know there is a theological construct that supports infant baptism, but I wonder if these constructs are not simply doctrines of men, as Jesus calls them.  And if you or your loved ones have been baptized as infants I intend no offense.  But I do ask you to think about what I am proposing.

 

‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ ” (Mt 15:8-9)

 

Keep your finger on the verse!

 

Of course, the biggest problem that Jesus saw with the Pharisees wasn’t really their traditions. It was the fact that they were elevating their traditions over the Word of God. They were not honoring God‘s Holy Word. I suppose we should ask ourselves do we make the same mistake?

 

God's Word should always be our final authority in matters of truth and spiritual instruction.  I realize that the Lord uses godly, gifted people to instruct us to better understand the Word of God, but even the best teachers do not always agree on everything.  Each of us should take seriously Paul's admonition to Timothy:

 

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)

 

And we should major on the Word of God, not the opinions of men.  Even as I write these blog entries, I sometimes have people comment about something they see differently than I do.  I appreciate that. 

 

Keep your finger on the verse!

 

In home studies, discussions, and discipleship groups some people are too quick to offer their opinion without thinking more deeply about what the Scripture is saying.  This can be a big mistake.

 

A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. (Prov 18:2)

 

Let's keep our fingers on the verse, honor God and His Word over the traditions (and opinions) of men.

 

Take care and God Bless.^[1]

 

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^[1] All Scripture used in this post is taken from New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).