By Gerold McBride
It was a time of great activity for Jesus. John the Baptist, Jrsus’ cousin had just been beheaded, Jesus fed the 5,000 with only five loaves of bread and two fish, He had healed many of their ailments, and He had spoken to the crowd that had gathered This crowd was so large He spoke to them from a boat off shore.. After feeding the 5,000 He instructed the disciples to take the boat and go to the other side of the sea.
He stayed for a time of prayer. Jesus then strolled across the sea on the water. One of the disciples, Peter, saw him coming toward them and thought he was seeing a ghost. It wasn’t, it was our Lord.
Then our Lord gave Peter a lesson in faith as Peter tried to walk on water. All of this activity could not go unnoticed. This surely was the subject of conversation of pretty much everyone and the news of Jesus’ acts spread like wildfire. The multiplying of those two fish and five loaves of bread, the healing of the sick and crippled, the words He spoke, and His walking on the water caused many of those in that crowd of 5,000 to believe. These miracles are recorded in the book of Matthew, chapter 14. But that’s not the end of the story.
Matthew 15:1-9 is a record of what attitude was present in Jesus’ day, and sadly, it is true today. It wasn’t about those that were unbelievers. Matthew tells us about Pharisees and scribes, members of religious groups. They weren’t concerned about who Jesus was or what He spoke to the crowd.
They were upset because Jesus’ disciples didn’t observe the tradition of ceremoniously washing their hands before meals and they wanted an answer from Jesus about this. Jesus replied by exposing one of their “traditions.” He asked the question, recorded in Matthew 15:3-4, “And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? “For God said, Honor your father and mother, and he who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.” Please notice that Jesus quoted a commandment of God and compared that to a tradition made by man.
So we ask ourselves. how did these religious men transgress the commandment of God? Before social security or wages sufficient to build an adequate pension plan, the “old folks” depended on their families. But when the parents of these religious men were asked for help, their reply was “Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God.” (Matthew 15:5) This probably included meals and entertainment at their temple and always with a religious theme and always according to their tradition. “Sorry folks, you will have to skip some meals.
The money you usually got was given for the celebration of one of our traditions.” Perry County has many church denominations, each with their own traditions As Baptists we have traditions that govern the order of service, Baptism, Lord’s Supper, and we have traditions that set forth membership requirements.
The Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal and independent churches, and others I may have missed, all have traditions. All these traditions should serve to strengthen our faith and to guide us in our worship of God. But if our traditions become more important than our relationship and our obedience to God, we stand beside those Pharisees and scribes that Matthew wrote of. This Sunday, as you attend the church of your choice, ask yourself why you observe your traditions. Do they honor God? Do they help you live a life pleasing to Him? Do they guide you onto the path of Christian love? Do they strengthen your faith? Do your traditions mean more than your relationship with God? They did to the Pharisees and scribes Jesus spoke to. They were religious men, but they missed a faith pleasing to God. Please do not allow your traditions stand between you and God.
Rev. Gerold McBride is pastor of Lithium Baptist Church in Perry County. He may be reached by email at geroldmcbride@gmail.com or by phone at 573-547-8954.
