TraditionDevotion in motion
Chapter 15:1-12
“Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?”
These were not serious seekers. They were theological hit- men. They were sent to ensnare Jesus, find fault in His teaching, and label Him a blasphemer.
And here was their specific beef – “For (your disciples) do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” The Jewish rabbis taught that in addition to the Mosaic Law, God gave further instructions that Moses didn’t write down, but passed on orally.
They believed these traditions were the key to correctly interpreting the Law.
By the end of second century AD this oral tradition was recorded and codified in a book called “The Mishnah.” To some rabbis living at the time of Jesus this oral Law was as important – if not more so – than the written Law of Moses.
And in The Mishnah 35 pages were devoted to the proper washing of hands. The Jews believed external washing was necessary for spiritual purity.
Some rabbis taught that a demon named Shibna would come and sit on a man’s hands while he was asleep. If the next day he ate without washing – the demon could enter into the man through his food and take control of his life.
The rabbis had rules governing how and when to wash.
The story is told of a rabbi who almost died of thirst. While in a Roman prison he spent all his water rations on ritual washings, and had nothing to drink.
At Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall today, there’s a wash basin and a spigot by the entrance, where you can wash your hands before entering the holy area.
For Jews at the time of Jesus ceremonial washing was the way to heaven, and the Jewish rabbis were upset over reports that Jesus didn’t follow their traditions.
Verse 3 “(Jesus) answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?” Tradition was supposedly the key to keeping the Law. One rabbi referred to the Oral Traditions as “A fence around the Law.” But Jesus saw it as a loophole to avoid the Law’s intention.
He gives an example, “For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ Kids pay attention. These are strong exhortations from God straight from His Law.
“But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God” – then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” The Law’s intent was for children to honor their parents, but Jesus brings up “The Law of Corban.” This was a familiar Jewish tradition…
“Corban” means “gift of God.” And here’s how the Law worked… If a child knew his parents were in trouble and were coming for financial assistance, he could pronounce all his household goods were “corban,” or given to the Temple.
They remained in his possession, but he couldn’t sale them or give them away for technically they belonged to the Temple. It was a scam to keep a family from doing their duty and caring for their parents. They could turn down their poor parents, and feel like they were pleasing God. This was just one example…
Rather than a fence around the Law, their traditions were a farce.
And Jesus tells them, verse 7 “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying (He quotes Isaiah 29:13.): ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ “
Here’s a danger that should concern Christians of every generation.
Often tradition gets mistaken for truth. The doctrines of men get passed off as commandments of God… Hey, tradition might not be bad. It might serve and help for a season, but a tradition should never be elevated to the status of Scripture.
Traditions eventually run their course, and outlast their usefulness, and when a tradition becomes a hindrance to faith it needs to be kicked out on its ear.
Verse 10 “When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” One commentator calls verse 11 the most revolutionary passed in the New Testament… at least in Jewish eyes.
Dietary Laws and outward washings were central to the religion of Judaism. And Jesus is nullifying the importance of what was all-important to the Jews.
Jesus is saying that as far as God is concerned, “At the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.” The purity He desires doesn’t originate on your plate or your hands – but in your heart. Righteousness isn’t an appetizer, it’s an attitude.
True purity is inward not outward. It works from the inside out, not outside in.
“Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” In other words, “Jesus, do you realize you’re not being politically correct? You’ve offended the Pharisees.”
Every pastor faces this dilemma… “Do you know you offended someone?”
I hope you know it’s not my desire to be deliberately offensive to anyone. I’m not on the attack. I love people. But there are beliefs and behaviors that quite frankly, offend God – and if I don’t speak out against them – I’ll offend Him.
And as much as I love you, I would rather offend you than offend God.
Amen
Victor Tafoya
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