Tidings for Tuesday
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. Matthew 15:2
When I was a little boy, I was taught that I should always wash my hands before I ate a meal, or even a snack. I believe the same instruction is given to children today. Washing hands before we eat is still good advice, and health officials tell us that hand-washing is one of the best ways to avoid spreading many common diseases. So weren’t the scribes and Pharisees justified in their criticizm of the disciples’ poor hygiene? Actually, no. The scribes and Pharisees were not concerned about hygiene. They knew nothing of germs or contamination… they knew only that there was a set of rules to be followed at all costs, and the dozen men who accompanied Jesus didn’t follow those rules. The scribes and Pharisees had their priorities all wrong.
Where did the hand-washing rule come from? Not from Scripture. The leaders of the Jews were fond of enhancing Scripture, though. Their interpretations and expansions of the law had made a huge volume of rules and regulations that governed every aspect of life. And these rules had been elevated to the same status as the Law of Moses. The scribes and Pharisees used these rules to maintain control of the people. We have some of those rules and regulations around us today; yes, even among our Assemblies. Are they tools for maintaining control of people?
We need to be aware of what the Scriptures say. When there is a rule that we are expected to abide within, does that rule line up correctly with the Word? Or does it serve as a control mechanism? For example, 40 years ago, many Assemblies prohibited the wearing of beards, because a beard was a powerful symbol of rebellion in a clean-shaven society. Today, beards appear on all manner of men, and are just another grooming option, but they are still frowned upon by some Assemblies where there are those who dislike them. In this case, what was once a useful rule has become outdated and restrictive.
Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for placing their traditions at the level of Scripture. We need to examine our traditions, too, to make sure they are not imposed for the wrong reasons. However, most of our traditions are valid and useful. And they persist for God’s glory. -Jim MacIntosh