The Tragedy of Traditions

MARK 7:1-23

THE TRAGEDY OF TRADITIONS

Intro:

Traditions and Commandments

Mark 7:1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.

These were professional critics… People who were happiest when finding faults in others…
“I've been all over the world and I've never seen a statue of a critic.”
― Leonard Bernstein
“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do.” Ben Franklin
“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.” Anonymous
“The easiest job in the world is being a critic” Al Coleman

Two-fold warning: 1. Don’t let critics keep you from God’s will.
2. DO NOT BE A CRITICAL PERSON. Unless you crave loneliness.

FINDING FAULT

2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.

The Pharisees made it sound like the Disciples just walked up and began to eat without washing their hands… There are a couple of things to consider here:
1. WHAT really happened was that the Disciples didn’t go through the ridiculous ritual of a two person pour over ceremonial washing that God never got close to asking for…
2. The Pharisees loathed the common man – They thought of them as dirty people, unworthy of touching.
Jesus – On the other hand touched lepers, shared water with adulteresses, and ate with sinners and tax collectors.
SO… BTW… Should we.(Al least willing to for the Lord’s sake)

3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash theirhands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. (CEV None of them will eat anything they buy in the market until it is washed.) And there are many other things which they have received and hold, likethe washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"

A few months ago, a grouchy old Christian asked me why we used guitars and drums for “Our music” and not the traditional organ and piano?
I was truly saddened that she didn’t say “for worship.”
Jesus Himself was the first person to mention “Rock music” for worship in Luke 19:40. He was unconcerned with the method of worship… And offended at the lack of it.

Like the grouchy old woman, the Pharisees were all about the method… And had long ago forgotten about the motive!
We worship the Lord NOT because we love guitar music…
We use guitar music BECAUSE WE LOVE THE LORD!
Some of you who can’t really sing well STILL worship the Lord with humming, praying, speaking, swaying, raising your hands, and some of you sing in spite of your voice… (You know who you are, AND you’re my favorite worshippers!)

Chuck Smith says that the Pharisees washed their hands as an act of righteousness.
It was a works over grace issue… They truly thought that they were better than others because of their religious zeal – Even in how they washed their hands.

I’m going to level with you brothers and sisters in Christ… My favorite Christians are humble Christians… NOT the ones who think that they are better then others for whatever reasons.

Smith – To wash your hands before you eat is smart, BUT… to NOT wash your hands is not sin – except to the Pharisees.

JESUS SPEAKS OF LIP SERVICE

6 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah (29:13)prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.7 AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.'8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men— the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

Courson -"You're involved in religious traditions that have nothing to do with what God desires," Jesus said. "With your lips you worship God, but your heart is a million miles away." And lest we be too quick to point fingers at the Pharisees, we would do well to search our own hearts during such times as we sing praise songs to the Lord with our lips while our minds are focused on the list of things we have to accomplish that day.Ouch!

What is the problem with traditions? The problem is the temptation to exchange them for the work of Christ Jesus…

Colossians 2:6-9 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, (NLT - high-sounding nonsense)according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (In Him is everything you need)

There is a lot of high sounding nonsense available to us and to our kids these days…
Coexistence… Tolerance… Open mindedness… “Community” talk that makes it sound as if the answers are in not having rules or morals or scruples.
That… Is… nonsense.
Jesus gave His church over 100 commands to obey. Then He said “If ye love me, keep my commandments”(John 14:15)

Here is one of the Commandments of Jesus:
Matthew 22:36 "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" 37 Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
How did the Pharisees do on this commandment? How are YOU doing with this one?

JESUS CALLS THEM OUT…

9 He said to them, "All toowell you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.10 For Moses said, 'HONOR (Care for)YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO CURSES FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH.'11 But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"—' (that is, a gift toGod),12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother,13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."

They were fanatical about their certain traditions… But ignored the commands that would cost them their precious money – Even the cost of caring for their own parents… Hypocrites!

What Defiles a Person

14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself,He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; (A little dirt won’t hurt you)but the things which come out of him, (his mouth)those are the things that defile a man.16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"

Carefully listen to those who would be your teachers…
Are they sharing God’s words? (Scripture)
Or their own words? (Traditions)

Listen carefully to what comes out of OUR mouths… Is it heavenly, or is it of this world…

Guzik - The fundamental principle is simple. Washing with “unclean hands” or any other such thing that we “put into us” is not defiling. Rather, what comes out of us defiles, and reveals that we have unclean (defiled) hearts.

UNDISCERNING DISCIPLES

17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.

Wiersbe - we must remember that these twelve men had been brought up under the strict Jewish dietary code that categorized all foods as either “clean” or “unclean”

18 So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him,19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"

In other words – Food, types of food, and eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person’s soul…
All of that enters the stomach…
And then gets eliminated…
BUT… (One “T”)

20 And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

Courson - Although the scribes and Pharisees were oh-so-careful to follow all of their rituals and practices, Jesus made it clear that the real issue is not external, but internal. In other words, it's not the washing of hands, but the purity of the heart that matters.

Words… Hawk Nelson

They've made me feel like a prisoner
They've made me feel set free
They've made me feel like a criminal
Made me feel like a king
They've lifted my heart
To places I'd never been
And they've dragged me down
Back to where I began
Words can build you up
Words can break you down
Start a fire in your heart or
Put it out
Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don't wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You

Smith25