Day – 29

Traditional defilement

Read: Exodus 7, 8; Psalm 29; Matthew 15:1-20

Scripture: Matthew 15:1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?... 6...Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

Observation: This bible passage does not say that Jesus is against tradition. Instead, we can say that he is undoubtedly against any tradition that nullifies the Word of God. In Jesus’ time, the “tradition of the elders” was in oral form and played an important role in Jewish people’s day-to-day activities. The original purpose of the tradition was to help people to follow the law of Moses. However, they became mere rules taught by humans. When a tradition takes the place of God, whatever is offered to God will become lip service. But God expects our hearty service that honors him in our words and deeds. God is not interested in our external or ceremonial purification. He wants us to be “clean” in our hearts. As the psalmist says, we need to “worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (Ps.29:2).

Application: Knowingly or unknowingly, we follow many traditions in our lives. Initially, they all might have been developed with good intentions to aid people’s day-to-day lives. However, I need to be watchful and careful so that any tradition that I follow does not nullify the Word of God. In a culture of honor and shame, tradition plays a vital role in society. However, in my life, the words of Jesus are more important than any tradition. No tradition is greater than God. I will not allow any tradition to defile my heart before God. The real blessing of God comes from the Word of God, not from any tradition.

Prayer: Oh, Holy God, forgive me if I have ever given a place to any tradition that nullifies your words. Help me to keep my heart pure and clean from any traditional defilement. Sanctify me by the truth of your word. Amen.

✍️: Arputharaj Samuel
📕: Quiet Time Companion
🗓️ Day–29