June 29, 2022
“Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.” Matthew 15:13
The sincere follower of Christ will view his study of the Word as the way to uproot errors of thinking, believing, and living. With the Holy Spirit as teacher and companion, Bible study has a cleansing effect on the mind and motives. Jesus’ redemptive statements also point to the danger of resisting correction. Anyone who—when confronted by a contrast between a long-held belief and what Scripture actually teaches—chooses to hang on to the old “planting” will eventually be himself uprooted along with the plant. Errors are typically tucked in among elements of truth. Such mixture is especially treacherous, and is just as prevalent today as in the days of ancient Israel and the Dark Ages that closed in on the New Testament church.
Jesus was again confronted by the Pharisees regarding His disciples. This particular account, regarding ceremonial hand washing going way back to the ancient oral traditions of the rabbinic hierarchy, is recorded in Matthew 15:1-20 and Mark 7:1-23. These oral traditions were eventually written in the “Talmud” by the rabbinical leaders: a seemingly endless list of rules regarding ceremonial purification. Every moment of every day could literally be consumed with one ritual after another for fear of ceremonial defilement. These trivialities were imposed upon the people—not by God’s design!—to distract attention away from the simplicity and purity of the great precepts of His law. Neither Jesus nor His disciples practiced these ceremonial washings, so here was another ground for accusation. The Pharisees did not accuse Christ directly, but in front of a crowd accused His disciples of the perceived infraction:
Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands? Mark 7:5
The Teacher seized the opportunity to teach all present who had ears to hear. He pointed out that the observance of man-made traditions had the effect of eclipsing, or making of no effect (v.13), the instructions given by God. Divine instructions are not only for harmonious life in our fallen world but eternal principles for truly righteous living. People who would be happy in heaven are ready and willing to align themselves now with God’s precepts. It is a growth process. The meek soul who is willing to obey the precepts of God holds the key to receiving more light.
He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. . .making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:6-9,13
Such is still happening today (see Ecclesiastes 1:9)! Allow God’s Word to clear out the errors of man-made traditions. You will be transformed from the inside out. If you are not growing, it is most likely that you understand an instruction from God that you refuse to obey.
Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.” John 12:35