Jesus and the Dangers of Tradition (1), Matt. 15:1-11

Tradition is a word that can evoke strong feelings.  Some hear the word and sense a strong aversion to any kind of activity that is carried out without thought.  Worship, they would say, is not worship if it is mere tradition, the way we’ve always done it.  Others respect tradition.  Traditions, they say, are valuable because they represent actions that have been valued by previous generations, tested over time.  Traditions can help us stay on track when we are beset by the contrary winds of society.  What might Jesus say?

To answer that question let us consider the context of His earthly life.  No one valued traditions more than the Pharisees.  Here are a few illustrations of traditions they practiced (from J.Dwight Pentecost, The Words and Works of Jesus Christ, p307f).

·        The Pharisees never used or partook of anything that had not been tithed.

·        They observed laws of purification.  Specifically, they washed the left hand first; then blessed the cup that was used in the washing; they washed both hands.  After a meal there was another washing.

·        Pharisees abstained from any familiar relationship with non-Pharisees.

New let us ask: what were Jesus’ concerns with respect to traditions like these.

Ø Jesus was concerned about obedience, Mt. 15:1-11.  Jesus asked the Pharisees why they transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition (v3).  And again, in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men (v9).  This is certainly the most serious problem with tradition, allowing that practice to replace God’s Word.  Traditions, over time, come to have a life of their own, taking the place of prominence from Scripture.

Ø Jesus was concerned about unbelief, Matt. 9:14-17.  When the disciples of John asked why Jesus’ disciples did not fast like they AND the Pharisees did, Jesus’ answer had to do with their relationship with Him.  Think about this.  His disciples did not fast because He was with them.  But later they would fast, after He was gone from them.  It all hinged on Jesus’ identity.  Fasting is a proper, Biblical spiritual discipline.  But if God is physically with them they do not need to practice that discipline which strengthens our relationship with Him.  Jesus’ answer to John’s disciples was to challenge them to think about Him, the One John had promised would come, the One whose sandal straps he was not worthy to loosen.

Ø Jesus was concerned about hypocrisy (Matt. 6:16-18).  Again the issue has to do with fasting; this very serious discipline was one the Pharisees practiced.  But they didn’t just practice; they made sure you knew they were doing it.  We need to remember that traditions are, by definition, at least one step removed from revelation (Scripture) in the sense that a tradition is meant to help us do what Scripture indicates.  Traditions generally involve external practices.  So in this passage as well as in doing charitable deeds (6:1-4) and prayer (6:5-15) there is always a danger that the doing of something external becomes an action that bolsters our pride rather than exalting God.  This was very true of the Pharisees.

Let us consider these issues with respect to the disciplines and practices we observe that we believe are helpful in the service of our God.