Why aren’t you observing our traditions?

(The Pharisees) saw that some of (Jesus’) disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed… And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” (Mark 7:2,5)

-       Significance of this question?

Disciples not observing the tradition of the Pharisees.

This tradition not part of the Law of Moses or the other Scriptures.

Christ makes clear distinction between traditions of men (paradosis) and doctrines/commandments (didaskalia, entole) of God –

7 in vain do they worship me,    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

This tradition (paradosis) from man not from God.

Paradosis means something handed down.

Sometimes positive in Scripture, mostly negative: that which men insist upon, not something that should bind people.

Question in essence, therefore, “Why aren’t you doing things our way?”

A very human response

Part of human nature to take our ways and elevate them to a high status.

Understandable since repeated human action makes us feel secure. But due to sin we take what is good and allow it to make us proud, defensive, angry. This can happen in a religious context or a more general context.

The Pharisees have lost sight of God and their need for him and become proud and hard-hearted.

The problem with the Pharisees

The tradition in question indicates central problem with the Pharisees: if we do the ritual the right way then we are pure.

Very human view again: if we keep the rules then we are righteous.

We saw that a lot four years ago during Covid for example.

We see it in the Church: as long as the right liturgy is observed, we are righteous. As long as we wear the right vestments. As long as we do this or that.

Out of the heart of man

What does Jesus say about this?

(Jesus) said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Mark 7:20-23

Righteousness and evil come from the heart.

The heart (kardia) is the centre of the person: the control station, the reality beneath.

Our actions are reflective of the heart.

The heart is what God cares about: “…the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Our liturgical observance, our vestments, our Anglo-Catholic traditions, our church observances, are an irrelevance in comparison with what is going on in our hearts.

Blessed are the pure in heart

Leads us to the question: how can we have pure hearts before God and one another?

If we are honest, we know that are hearts are impure.

Do we recognise ourselves in the words of Christ?

‘For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.’ 

The Pharisees consistently failed to recognise their sinfulness. If we fail to recognise it, we will not have a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

So what can we do if we recognise that our hearts are impure?

A saying of Jesus: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17.

If you are sick and think you are not you don’t go to the doctor. If you are sick and know it you go to the doctor.

We need at least two things from our heavenly physician, Jesus Christ: first, to be forgiven for our sin; second, to be given a new heart.

This is what Jesus offers us: forgiveness due to the punishment he suffered upon the cross in our place; a heart renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prophesied in OT: ‘…I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.’ Ez. 36:26

Response

Get human traditions in perspective: They are not divine. At best they are a means to know God and worship him. But they must be kept in perspective and not elevated to a divine status.

We should focus instead on the heart: What is in the centre of your being? Anger, hatred, apathy towards God, lust, jealousy etc. That is what you should be working on from a spiritual perspective, not worrying about others and accusing them.

Recognise your need for Christ: Our hearts are impure. We do need forgiveness and cleansing, not just once but continually.

Ask for forgiveness and renewal and God will give it through Christ and the Gospel.

Amen.