Matthew 15: 1-9 (10-20)
At a very early age we begin to learn who we are. Who we are is a part of a specific group of the human race. I am a West Virginian; I am an American; I am a Presbyterian; I am a Page. You are African, French, Chinese, Hawaiian—you are… When we expand these labels we create a picture of ourselves, unique, colorful, and sacred. It is important to be with your own kind and to behave appropriately. Rich and poor act differently; Northerners and Southerners feel differently; Easterners and Westerners see the world differently.
Think for a moment of what about your tradition, your heritage is significant to you. Think about how it defines you.
The Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came out to where Jesus preached. “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” they asked. How do we feel about those who choose to break away, not do things as we have learned to do? Before we quickly respond that we’re progressive, in favor of change, remember what it is like when someone very different joins your group and asks to have a new way. Remember how you react when someone eats with their fingers or dresses in “inappropriate” clothes. Remember how you feel when someone voices anti-American views, challenges the divinity of Jesus, or yells repent on the street corner. Finally think how it is when someone kills to support a cause—abortion, Islamic fundamentalism, protection of Jewish right to Jerusalem, opposition to the draft…
Jesus answers “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” He argues not against the law, the basis of the tradition, but its misuse. “So for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God.” How he sees through where we have taken good and turned it so as to benefit only us. Can we let him winnow our “tradition” finding the true and separating it from the abuse? Can we follow him to place where we honor God with our hearts?
Walk with Jesus through your heritage, your tradition, identifying what brings you to God’s path and what simply affirms your way.
Lord Jesus, forgive us for using you in ways you would not wish. Give us sight to see your precepts and not just our own. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
At a very early age we begin to learn who we are. Who we are is a part of a specific group of the human race. I am a West Virginian; I am an American; I am a Presbyterian; I am a Page. You are African, French, Chinese, Hawaiian—you are… When we expand these labels we create a picture of ourselves, unique, colorful, and sacred. It is important to be with your own kind and to behave appropriately. Rich and poor act differently; Northerners and Southerners feel differently; Easterners and Westerners see the world differently.
Think for a moment of what about your tradition, your heritage is significant to you. Think about how it defines you.
The Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came out to where Jesus preached. “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” they asked. How do we feel about those who choose to break away, not do things as we have learned to do? Before we quickly respond that we’re progressive, in favor of change, remember what it is like when someone very different joins your group and asks to have a new way. Remember how you react when someone eats with their fingers or dresses in “inappropriate” clothes. Remember how you feel when someone voices anti-American views, challenges the divinity of Jesus, or yells repent on the street corner. Finally think how it is when someone kills to support a cause—abortion, Islamic fundamentalism, protection of Jewish right to Jerusalem, opposition to the draft…
Jesus answers “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” He argues not against the law, the basis of the tradition, but its misuse. “So for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God.” How he sees through where we have taken good and turned it so as to benefit only us. Can we let him winnow our “tradition” finding the true and separating it from the abuse? Can we follow him to place where we honor God with our hearts?
Walk with Jesus through your heritage, your tradition, identifying what brings you to God’s path and what simply affirms your way.
Lord Jesus, forgive us for using you in ways you would not wish. Give us sight to see your precepts and not just our own. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
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