Why?

Matthew 15:1-9

When someone comes to see you and their travel in miles is sixty miles, it’s a matter of a little over an hour in most areas of the world, but not so in the time of Jesus, sixty miles could be close to a two-day walk.  Now if you were traveling by wagon or horse you could cut that time, and the Scriptures do not tell us how the Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Gennesaret, but this we know it took some time and planning. 

If you are in need of an answer to any question, we have many ways to find the answer, and most often in our culture it is by text or by phone, but not so in the time that Jesus walked on planet earth.  This is the account by Matthew, this is why the Pharisees and scribes travelled two days to ask of Jesus; “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat.”  I know what your thinking, no way am I going to travel five miles to ask that question, in fact you may even believe that you do not give a flip about traditions.  Well traditions were big to the Jewish leaders; in fact, much of their worship was built on performance and not on seeking God.  But let us not leave so fast; what about Christmas and the time you open presents, or the trip to grandmothers that happens on Easter of each year.  These are just two examples, but I’m betting the farm you hold to some traditions that will upset you if they are not fulfilled.  And what about that little white church with the picket fence that you went to as a child and still get upset because you cannot find one just like it.  And if you are a Baptist or Catholic, how many traditions do you hold to, and when someone tries to change them, all hell breaks out.

So these guys are coming to Jesus with an attitude, they want answers, and nothing less than Him getting His boys in line will work.  Now if you bought into a meek Jesus you are in for a shock, He is in your face with these religious guys, and that may not be the Jesus you are hearing about on Sunday.  Listen to His reply to this group of leaders; “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?  For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’  But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

As a Christian and as a church the message is to be an understanding of those who Jude in his letter to those who are called; “beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ,” if you didn’t get that he is referring to all who have been forgiven by the grace and faith given then in Christ, and accepting His blood redemption.  This was Jude the half-brother of Jesus and the bother of James words to you and me: “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ. (Verse 4)  For those of us who have grown quiet, let the Spirit of the Living God speak to you in these verses of Jude; But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.  But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

I believe this quote from C.T. Studd is in keeping with the message from Jude, “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell;
I want to run a rescue mission, Within a yard of hell.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice