The Traditions of Men or God?
By
Shelby
G. Floyd
The critics of Jesus and his
disciples watched him like a hawk to find something to condemn him. It did not
take them long before they found the disciples eating their food without going through
the ceremonial washing required by “the traditions of the elders” (Mark 7:1-5).
They demanded an explanation why they would have the audacity to violate the
“traditions of men.”
Jesus defended the actions of the
disciples by referring them to the word of God. He had previously rebuked them
for adding their man-made traditions to the Sabbath day and thereby making the
law of God of no effect (Mark
"Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you
hypocrites; as it is written:” 'These people honor me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but
rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on
to the traditions of men." (Mark 7:6-8).
In making application of Isaiah’s
teaching, Jesus explained that they held on to their traditions while letting
go of the commands of God. The word of God taught them to honor and take care
of their parents in their old age (Exodus
The divine revelation of the gospel
handed down to us by Christ and the apostles is also referred to by the term tradition:
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the
traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle (2 Thessalonians
The traditions and commandments of men are not to be
blindly followed, but the biblical traditions are to be faithfully followed (2
Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 11:2). Copyright © 2007