Mark Chapter 7: Verses 5-8 (NIV-UK)
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, ‘Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?’
He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
‘“These people honour me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.”
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.’
I pondered these verses as a ate my porridge this morning. My dad ate porridge for breakfast every working day, and even after he retired, every Monday to Friday, except when he was on holiday away from home. He made it according to the instructions on the packet, and enjoyed it with a little sugar and a little cream. When I was little, it was the top of the milk that was always saved for him for this purpose, but as I grew older, and the milk bottles no longer came with a layer of cream on top, he would enjoy the luxury of a little cream. Always the same brand and always made the same way. A tradition, or a habit if you will. I’m not sure what he would have made of my porridge served with cocoa spice, blueberries and sliced banana, although I use the same brand, having tried others, I’ve gone back to Dad’s favourite.
Traditions can be good, and we are mostly creatures of habit. Think of the family traditions we enjoy at times of celebration, like Christmas and birthdays, but Jesus criticised the Pharisees who had substituted their own traditions rather than following the ways of God. Even Christians can be guilty of this sometimes, in holding tight to the way we worship or conduct our services.
We need to remember that the most important thing is to hold fast to the teaching of God as it is written in the bible, even if our worship styles and services change. And the most important thing of all is to honour God with our hearts and not just our lips as Jesus told the Pharisees to do.
Traditions have their place but trying something new can also be fun. I do enjoy trying different toppings for my porridge even although I know my Dad would never have approved!
Dear Lord,Help me to ensure that I follow Your word and commands rather than my own traditions or preferences, and that what goes on in my heart is far more important than what I say with my lips. You know what is everyone’s heart. I pray that mine will always honour and love You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen