ROSE AND LINDA'S BLOG TRADITIONS AT A GLANCE

Matthew 15:1-2 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 'Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.'

It is easy to see humor in that scripture, after all we should all wash our hands before we eat.  This though goes much deeper.  It was a rule the Pharisees and Scribes had made up that you had to wash your hands, and wash them a certain way.  The least amount of water to be used was a quarter of a log, which means the amount that would fill a half egg shell twice. The water was first poured on both hands while the hands where held with the fingers pointed up.  The water must run up the arm as far as the wrist, and drop off from the wrist, as it was now unclean.  If the water touched the fingers then the hands became unclean again.   Once this was done the process was repeated with the hands held in the opposite direction.  Finally each hand was cleaned by being rubbed with the fist of the other.   A really good Jew did this not only before  a meal but between courses.  This is a tradition and yes it sounds ludicrous.  And yes, we held our hands up and twisted them to see how it was done.

When we embrace tradition over Scriptures it invalidates the Word of God.  To many it is easier to follow lists then to follow God.  What has happened in many of the churches, is we have become so comfortable in the simple actions that take place, that we forget it is not in the Bible.

What seemed harmless at its inception has turned into an accepted tradition.   'This is the way we have always done it,' does not make it right.  Where do we as so-called Believers draw the line, stand up and voice our thoughts, or do we continue to 'let it ride' because Great granny did it that way.

We say it is time for those that Believe on the Word of God to start asking why do we do what we do? To inquire where is this in the Bible.

Are you brave enough, is your salvation worth it to question why we do the things we do?  What can you honestly see in your church practices that are tradition and not from God.  Seek the Lord on these matters and let go of man's ways and turn back to God's.

God Bless

recj/LJG