Mark 7:2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
This passage of scripture teaches us that the traditions of men should never be esteemed as being of greater importance than the commandments of God. There is a tendency to place tradition on a very high plane, while the instructions of God are either held to be subjective, or otherwise entirely despised. In the instance given in the above passage, the Jews had developed an elaborate system of by-laws, traditions, and requirements that had absolutely nothing to do with true godliness, but instead laid a galling yoke of oppression on the necks of those who dared to subscribe.
The many washings and ceremonial purifications were generally instituted to give an air of religious superiority and cleanliness, so that those who beheld them might come to the conclusion that these were a set of perfectly holy people. Now while it is true that we are to observe the principles of cleanliness and tidiness, yet we should be very careful not to take it to extremes, by sacrificing the gold of love for pomp and display of any sort, for any religious experience that is fraught with ceremony, often lacks true charity that should be the hallmark of our Christian experience.
A vivid example of what Christ is referring to could be found in the practice of "Corban", a tradition by which a person was allowed to formally donate all of their earthly possessions to the church in their will, and by so doing they would be relieved of the responsibility of caring for their aging parents who needed their financial support. And because of this tradition that God had never required, the command to "Honor thy father and thy mother" was made of none effect by a tradition that was essentially devoid of love and consideration for parents, who shouldered the responsibilities of child rearing for many years. Let's read:
Mark 7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother" .... 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
The upcoming holiday season in December is supposed to be about Christ, and as such He should be the center of our thoughts, focus, and admiration, but many seem to be more eager to meet with Santa, than to give their lives to Christ who died for us so that we may have eternal life. The gifts that are supposedly brought from Norse country are all perishable, and while they may offer temporary intrigue, the sentiments soon give way to reality which begins to settle in come January. Furthermore, Christ has clearly stated that our focus should not be so much on His birth, as on His death, for it was because of His stripes we are healed, and because of His sacrifice on Calvary, why we have access to eternal life.
God is much more interested in us giving our lives entirely to Him, than all of the pomp and display that is manifested in any tradition, for in the final analysis, it is willing and loving service to Him and to others that will finally bear His signet. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to go for the kernel of oneness with Christ, rather than being satisfied with the husk of tradition. Let's read:
Micah 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!