Talking Turkey
Likely by now any leftover turkey has finally been consumed. But the warm memories of Thanksgiving 2024 linger, as we think of time spent with family and treasured traditions. These are familiar rituals that create special memories with our loved ones. But there are traditions in the realm of our spiritual journey that can be both delightful and at other times dangerous. So many of our rituals and practices aid us in our worship and commemoration of God’s goodness. But traditions can also unseat something of far greater value. In Mark 7:1-23 we read an interaction that Jesus had with the Pharisees, who were intense traditionalists. They had created an elaborate system of spiritual traditionalism. In this passage we see three tragedies of traditionalism.
First, traditionalism traps. The Pharisees held very, very tightly to the “tradition of the elders”. These were numerous, detailed religious regulations established by men. These oral traditions were designed to interpret and speak where the Law of God was silent. Mark 7 documents the displeasure the Pharisees towards Jesus because His disciples did not practice the elaborate ritual of ceremonial washing. This went well beyond hygiene. It was practiced religiously! It was an attempt to present oneself as holy. Sadly, the Pharisees’ conformity to outward forms put them in a prison of performance and self-righteousness. They missed the redemptive ministry of Jesus because He did not conform to their traditions.
Traditionalism also tricks us. Interestingly, Jesus neither criticized nor commended His disciples for their failure to perform the ceremonial hand washing. But He had harsh words for the Pharisees, calling them "hypocrites" or "play actors". He linked them to the spiritual superficiality Isiaah addressed: “this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.” (Isiaah 29:13) Ironically, the oral tradition was to be a hedge to help people not disobey God’s Law. Tragically, it came to distort the Law and even gave a way to circumvent it. Jesus provided an example. In Exodus 20:12 we are commanded to honor our parents. But the oral tradition allowed a person to declare “corban” (“a gift devoted to God”) any support intended for one’s parents. Such gifts did not always go to the temple. It was a religious loophole that gave only the outward appearance of holiness. Such traditions tricked people into thinking they were obedient when they were cheapening or invalidating God’s Law!
The third tragedy of traditionalism is that it trivializes sin. On this occasion Jesus explained that no amount of outward religious activity can change the inward, fallen nature. The Pharisees were so consumed with external performance that they neglected the sin of their hearts. Jesus stated that sin comes out of the heart. It is not merely the result of a religious ritual unkept. In this way, traditionalism reduces sin to a failure to perform prescribed ritual. Another example were foods, whether considered "clean" or "unclean". These only affect the stomach, explained Jesus. On the other hand, what affects the spirit and soul comes from the heart of a person, from the core of our being.
Do we have traditions in our church today? Of course we do! Wherever people gather and organize themselves to worship and serve God, some sense of tradition will emerge. The question is not about the existence of tradition, but about its effect. Gene Getz writes, "Once we understand the freedom God has given us in form and structure, and at the same time we are committed to biblical absolutes, we are neither bound by traditions nor prone to ignore those that are relevant and meaningful." What is your experience? Are you depending upon a human-created ritual for your spiritual welfare? As followers of Jesus, we need to ask some tough questions of our traditions. Do they enable us to have a fuller, greater grasp of God? Do they lead us into deeper, more intimate worship of God? Do they facilitate more faithful or consistent obedience of God?
When I was a child, my parents introduced me to the time-honored tradition of closing my eyes when praying. This had tremendous practical benefit for a busy little boy who was learning to be still in God’s presence. Today, I continue this practice. But it clearly cannot be the basis for my access into God’s presence! It matters little what is the position of my eyelids. Only the shed blood of Jesus provides me with the unimaginable privilege of entering the presence of God. Only when we are gripped by God’s amazing grace can we put our traditions into balance. We can enjoy how appropriate traditions help us engage in relationship with God and fulfill His mission. And by His grace, we can avoid the dangerous place of trusting in tradition, rather than in Jesus Himself.