Command of God vs tradition of the elders
by Ruth Olsen
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Jesus replied, ‘Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?’ (Matthew 15:3).
Read Matthew 15:1–20
It’s not wise to argue with Jesus. Whatever your starting question, he will take it deeper to address your underlying heart attitude. He will reveal and hold us accountable for something in our thinking that we are otherwise blind to. And we all have our blind spots.
Some Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus why his disciples were breaking the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating. But Jesus sees beyond the surface things. Immediately, he challenges them on why they broke the command of God for the sake of the tradition of the elders. Instead of honouring parents – as God commands – and doing what helps them where needed, they allowed people to designate the gift as devoted to God and thereby not available to support their parents.
The focus of these leaders was on the rules and regulations governing daily life. But they had lost sight of the heart of the matter – God’s heart for people and his desire for heart connection. Indeed, by not honouring parents, they are not honouring the one who had given that command.
But we can fall into the same kind of trap – to go through the motions of habit, even good habits, with distracted hearts. For example, we can read something in the Bible – as in reading the words – but be thinking about something else entirely. Are our hearts engaged to honour him?
Jesus then said it’s not unwashed hands or what we eat that makes us ‘unclean’, but what we say. Can you imagine the disciples coming to Jesus and saying, ‘Did you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?’ And Jesus’ reply: ‘Leave them be/Don’t worry about them.’ Interesting.
Jesus challenged his listeners then; he calls each of us now to know we are responsible for what we think and speak. It’s the deeper contrast between the fruit of the sinful nature (verse 19; Galatians 5:19–21) and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23) coming out in our thoughts, attitudes, words and actions.
Father, have mercy. Enable us to recognise our heart attitudes and, by the power of your Spirit, bring us into alignment with your heart toward us, for Jesus’ sake.
Ruth lives in Adelaide with Steen, her husband of more than 50 years. Her autoimmune disorder is now under control, although kidney dialysis is currently a requirement three times a week. That swallows much time, yet the Lord is with her in the challenges. He is always faithful!
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