For the best part of
this year, we’ve been studying the parables of Jesus in our Sunday morning
Bible class. In that study we’ve seen a constant theme throughout and
it’s the confrontations between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees.
And one of the constants
in these confrontations is Jesus and His disciples clashing with the “traditions of the elders.”
Of course, this was the “traditions”
of the Pharisaical “elders.”
Let me refer you to a couple of scriptural passages that shows what Jesus was
dealing with in these clashes - Mark 7:1-9 and Colossians 2:8. It’s
these “traditions”
that has brought our lesson thoughts to mind today and I’ll start it off by
asking some questions.
Do we get hung up on “traditions” today? In
other words, do we get set in our ways and does that equal “traditions?” And I’m
not speaking of the “old paths”
that the prophet Jeremiah is referring to in Jer. 6:16. In that passage,
Jeremiah is talking about the Jews returning to following God’s Law - God’s
Way.
You’ll notice in that
passage, when he says for them to “ask
for the old paths” he defines what the “old paths” are. He says: “Where is the good way.”
That tells me that “old”
isn’t the operative guide in our worship to God. No, it has to also be
the “good way.”
The “old paths” of which
Jeremiah speaks is the “path”
outlined by God for man to follow in order to be righteous. The “traditions” of the
Pharisaical “elders”
were not the “old paths”
of Jeremiah. I just wanted you to be clear on that and possibly not get
the two confused.
But, let’s go back to
our questions. When we think about that, do we like or dislike a preacher
or teacher because of their speaking delivery? IE: Do they possess a
great speaking voice or do they just talk plainly like everyone else? Or,
do we like or dislike because of their wardrobe? Maybe they don’t wear
the coats or ties that we like to look at. Or, do they have some
mannerisms that we either like or dislike?
My point here is, based
upon our “traditions,”
our personal likes and dislikes, do we support or do we not support
them? If we’re following our personal “traditions” then we’re not basing our support
upon the truth of the matter. Not based upon whether they’re teaching the
truth or not. Not based upon whether their lessons are righteous with
God’s Word.
If our “traditions” are the basis
for supporting or not supporting a preacher or teacher, then let me ask you one
more question: How are we any different than the Pharisees?
I think that we can
learn a valuable lesson from looking at the “traditions”
of the Pharisees. You know, sometimes great lessons can be learned from
the errors of others, can’t they? And that’s the case here today. I
have a little story to give you for the rest of our time and space here and I
believe that it will help us better relate to the gist of our lesson.
“It seems a new preacher
arrived in town. He had a group of new stories, new sermons and a dynamic
new approach to all of the old problems. A great number of the community
were attracted to him. It would be safe to say that, as an evangelist, he
was singularly successful.
However, a group or the
Old Guard became concerned and they discussed him among themselves. His
preaching did not have the sound they were accustomed to hearing. It
sounded new and unorthodox to their ears. In fact, he accused them in
dramatic and damning terms of their own aggressively conservative
position. This disturbed them greatly.
Something had to be
done! It began as a matter of constant criticism. They criticized
him for the ones he accepted in fellowship, because of the people with whom he
associated, and the fact that a great number of the people agreed with him,
especially the younger generation. They were afraid that his
modernistic teaching would soon destroy the Bible. They even considered
him a LIBERAL!
Someone suggested they
crucify him. They did ----- on Calvary!”
Respectfully submitted,
Ron Covey
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