Conflict Over Tradition

The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” Mark 7:5 (NAS95S)

They said, “Why don’t you follow our rules - the elder’s traditions?” We can just hear them, “This is the way we have always done things! You are not a very good Jew, if you not follow our rules.” Jesus replied,

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘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.’ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:6-8 (NAS95S)

Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13. What sad words Jesus uses, “They honor Me with their lips., but their heart was far away . . .” They honored God with their lips - their words, but their worship was not real. What condemning words from our Lord! The religious leaders were full of religious activity, but God frowned on it. They were into ritual. The religious leaders did not care. They were too busy doing what they wanted.

You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition . . . Mark 7:9 (NAS95S)

Wow! The Greek word translated as “setting aside” actually means “rejecting.” They were actively rejecting God’s word when they adopted their own rules. Some people hate “rules.” They refuse to submit to rules. They even avoid following the commands that God has given. It may not be very obvious, but the person who blatantly ignores the clear teaching of the scriptures is doing what he or she wants too! They are just like the Pharisees. Each is just as guilty as the other. Then Jesus quoted Exodus 20:12 and 21:15.

For Moses said, “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER”; and, “HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH” . . . Mark 7:10 (NAS95S)

That is a very serious law that few follow today. If it was followed, we would transform the world. If you think this is an isolated verse, look at these passages:

He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. Exodus 21:15 (NAS95S)

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you are not to uncover her nakedness. Lev 18:7 (NAS95S)

Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My sabbaths; I am the LORD your God. Lev 19:3 (NAS95S)

You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD. Lev 19:32 (NAS95S)

God’s message is very clear. We are to honor our parents - even those who are considered to be “old” or elderly. When we dishonor our parents, we dishonor ourselves. Or, we can honor them and honor God.

The religious leaders rejected God’s word when they adopted their own traditions. Listen to the rest of Jesus’ statement,

. . . but you say, “If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),” you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.” Mark 7:11-13 (NAS95S)

The Greek for “Corban” refers to any item that the Jews supposedly “dedicated” to God. It then could not be given away or be used by another person. But the person who dedicated the item could still use it. It was a clever rule. You could keep the item and refuse to give it to someone who needed it. One cannot find the rule of “Corban” anywhere in the scriptures. It does not exist. So Jesus revealed that these supposedly religious leaders ignored God’s commands and did not honor their parents. They did not help their parents unless it was convenient or something that wanted to do. Their additional rules always favored the religious leaders. They were self-centered.

After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Matt 15:10-11 (NAS95S)

Jesus uses the illustration of ceremonial washing to communicate spiritual truth. What defiles a person is not eating dirty food, but what comes from our lips - out of our mouths. How did the Pharisees and scribes react to this statement? The next verse reveals that they were offended. They had heart problems. They were cold as icebergs.

Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” Matt 15:12 (NAS95S)

Jesus told the truth. His comment minimized the importance of their traditions. So they were offended. Isn’t it amazing how easily some people are offended even when they hear the truth? Some people are offended because they do not care about the truth or what pleases God. Recently, I spoke with a man who demanded to have things his way. It did not matter how unreasonable his request, he would not listen. He did not care. He wanted what he wanted. The religious leaders simply wanted what they wanted. Jesus’ next comment must have made them even more unhappy,

But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matt 15:13-14 (NAS95S)

Jesus’ message was that these men would never go to heaven. They had rejected God and they were rejecting Jesus. God the Father had not chosen them to be saved, and they had not chosen God either. They were spiritually blind men who were attempting to lead other spiritually blind people. What a sorry situation. Their followers thought that they were great, holy, and godly examples. They did not realize that their religious leaders were walking in spiritual darkness - blind guides. That is true today too! We have spiritually blind leaders among us who strongly believe that they knew the truth. Some strongly argue their point of view. So did the Pharisees. It is possible to be a religious leader, to be a student of the scriptures just like the Pharisees and yet be spiritually blind. Are you

Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” Matt 15:15-20 (NAS95S)