Meaningless Traditions

10-28-2009

Meaningless Traditions

Though I’m not Methodist, I have worked at Methodist churches while in youth ministry. As with a lot of churches, traditions are practiced regularly. It might be the clothes the minister wears, the number of times the bell rings before or after a service, the types of flowers in the sanctuary, or even the times of worship. Some churches serve communion and some don’t. Amongst the churches that serve communion, some use grape juice while others use wine. There are many traditions practiced throughout the churches of our world, and they can certainly enrich the worship experience, but have little to do with the true significance of worship.

Matthew 15:1-2 says the following:

“1Then 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!"

Jesus was being scrutinized for not following the traditions of the church. The Pharisees and teachers of the law put the same emphasis on their traditions as they did the law. Traditions should help us to understand God’s law, but not become law.

As we grow in our understanding of who Christ is and who he wants us to be, it’s important to refrain from putting your focus on the legalities of traditions. Traditions can be respected, but they should never be viewed as an equal to God’s law. At the end of the day, we are called to do two things above everything: love God and love people. Let’s stay focused on what Christ called us to do, and refrain from spending too much time on the things that really aren’t that important. Make a point to remind yourself and others about the true meaning of Christianity.

Application:
1. Read Matthew 15:1-2
2. Have you allowed certain traditions to overpower God’s greatest commandments of love?