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How Should We Handle Tradition?
When the report of Jesus' miracles spread abroad, Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem made their way north to the region of Galilee to confront Jesus. They charged that the Lord's disciples neglected to keep the "traditions" of the elders because they did not ceremonially wash their hands before they ate. But Jesus focused on the testers, asking "Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" (Matt 15.3).
This narrative highlights a problem that has troubled followers of Jesus for many centuries—how do we faithfully discern between "the commandments of God" and our own human traditions?
Key Terms Defined
"Commandment," in the context of Matthew 15, refers to that which has been delivered to mankind via divine revelation.
"For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, `Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or his mother, "What you would have gained from me is given to God," he need not honor his father.' So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God." (Matt 1 5.4-6)
Similar language is used in Luke 23.56, as Luke describes some of the female disciples at the tomb of Jesus.
Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
When terms like commandment, law, or the word of God are used in Scripture, they most often
inherently represent an obligation that has been imposed by God himself under which human
beings are amenable. If I, or you, or anyone else violates those divine edicts, we are guilty of sin.