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And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:9)
When the New Testament speaks of traditions (Matthew 15:2-6), it refers to religious beliefs and practices that were handed down from generation to generation. Many thought these beliefs and practices originated with God and had His approval. The fact is, some of them were of human origin and did not have God’s approval.
[ Note Matthew 15:2-6 ]
This passage deals with an occasion when scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem asked Jesus why His disciples transgressed the tradition of the elders in that they did not wash their hands when they ate bread. They regarded the ceremonial washing of hands as a sacred obligation and they noticed the disciples of Christ failed to observe it.
When they asked Jesus about it, He asked them why they transgressed God’s word by observing traditions. The point is, if God authorized such traditions they would not conflict with His commands. Jesus then cited the command that called for honoring fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12). In this case honoring parents included providing for them when such a need arose. But some grown children, who were able, found a way to avoid this responsibility. Based on tradition they claimed what they had was on tradition they claimed what they had was already dedicated to the Lord, and therefore they could not help their needy parents (Mark 7:11). They found a way to sidestep responsibility. They used tradition to avoid obeying God’s commandment. This line of reasoning demonstrated the fact human tradition was sometimes used to cancel out the law of God.
This would also help answer their question why the disciples did not ceremonially wash their hands before eating. Such a law did not come from God. It made no difference what men approved it, how many approved it, or how long it had been practiced. If it did not come from God it was unnecessary.
According to Mark’s account Jesus said, “Full well, ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your traditions” (Mark 7:9). Many of these traditions (human laws) came into being long after the giving of God’s law by Moses. Over time these human traditions came to be regarded as God’s will. Jesus pointed out the danger of them and upheld the disciples in rejecting practicing them.
We should also note the apostle Paul wrote against the traditions of men in Colossians 2:8, 9. He said, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Then too, the apostle Peter warned against the traditions of men in 1 Peter 2:18. He was probably referring to traditions among Gentiles and pointed out Jesus died to redeem those who sought salvation by practicing such things.
Where did these traditions come from? From men! Some said they were a part of an oral law given by Moses but were not placed in the record. Others have said they came from judicial decisions and came to be regarded as precedents, and still others have said they were from great teachers who were highly regarded. And who knows where they came from among the Gentiles? The point is, these traditions did not come from God and therefore had no authority and were, at times, in conflict with God’s law.
We should note, the word “tradition” itself does not necessarily make a practice wrong. It depends on whether a practice is approved of God. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Paul wrote, “Now we commend you brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” Here Paul warned fellow Christians not to follow any brother who failed to engage in practices God approved. This instruction, given by inspiration was to be handed down from generation to generation. The point is, this teaching (tradition) came from God. It didn’t become important or sacred because it was handed down. It was important because it was God’s will.
So we must make decisions regarding what we believe and practice. We need to make sure what we accept is the will of God. We need to be able to prove that what we do in serving Him meets His approval. Religious practices not supported by a proper way of understanding the Bible are to be avoided. Those supported by the word of God are to be practiced and defended.
Think friend, how many doctrines and practices today are of human origin! And think how important it is to be able to prove by the Bible that what we believe and do has God’s approval!
