Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
Matthew 15:1-2 NIV
In Matthew chapter 15, some Pharisees questioned Jesus. They asked why His disciples broke the tradition of the elders. Specifically, they noted disciples did not wash their hands before eating. Jesus, however, immediately countered their concern. He asked why they themselves broke God’s command for their own tradition. Indeed, Jesus was not merely commending or condemning his disciples. Instead, he used this moment to shift focus. He sought to highlight what truly matters: prioritising God’s commands over human tradition.
Prioritising God’s Commands
Clearly, people are overly concerned with human traditions. This often happened at the expense of their relationship and obedience to God. Jesus is certainly not troubled by all traditions. Indeed, some traditions do not contradict God’s love or commandments.
However, when traditions conflict with God’s will, Jesus becomes deeply concerned. Therefore, our priorities, focus, and attention must align properly with God. We must focus on God, rather than on human traditions. Our lives should truly be governed by knowing and doing God’s will. This is far better than simply following human instructions or thoughts.
Ultimately, keeping traditions is acceptable. Yet, they must never put us at odds with God or break His commandments. Jesus directly asked the Pharisees: ‘Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?’ (Matthew 15:3). For this reason, any tradition, regardless of its origin, that leads to breaking God’s command stands condemned by God Himself.
Beware of Hypocrisy, Align Your Heart
For instance, consider God’s clear command: ‘Honour your father and your mother’ (Matthew 15:4). Yet, the Pharisees taught a different way. If a person declared resources for their parents as ‘devoted to God,’ they were exempt.
This practice meant they did not have to honour their father or mother. Consequently, this tradition effectively nullified God’s very Word. Jesus therefore called them hypocrites. He affirmed Isaiah’s ancient prophecy: ‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules’ (Matthew 15:8-9).
God calls us to a higher standard of life. This standard brings out His very best in us. Above all, God prioritises us living for Him and for His glory. We must live to bring praise, glory, and honour to God. This means carefully avoiding hypocrisy. Our focus, attention, and trust must rest in God. It must never reside in human traditions.
Indeed, this is God’s demand for us. It applies in every area and every season of our lives. Ultimately, our hearts must align with God. Only then can we truly know and keep His demands. Unlike the Pharisees who condemned others, Jesus calls us to avoid hypocrisy. We must never break God’s commandments. We certainly must pursue a right standing before God. This matters above all traditions and everything else. Our entire focus and trust belong solely to the Lord when prioritising God’s commands over human tradition.
Living It Out
Ultimately, God asks us to live for His glory, free from hypocrisy. Our focus, attention, and trust must remain in Him alone. Let us align our hearts with God’s will. We must pursue a right standing with Him, valuing it above all human traditions.