The Snare of Tradition

By Larry R. Lasiter

© 2010

Although the Apostles taught the brethren to remember and follow the traditions that they established in the Church, these precepts came from Christ not men. In this passage Jesus is addressing the Jewish Religious establishment which over time, had introduced their own traditions which were contrary to the intent of God’s Commandments.

The traditions of men often stand in opposition to the Word of God.

Like the Jews of Jesus’ time, we too are raised in a culture which has many traditions. Too often we blindly accept our traditions without thinking about them or what they mean.

When Jesus instructed His disciples in how to pray, He warned them to not pray like the pagans who used vain repetition. It actually means praying by memory without thought of the meaning. God wants us to think about what we say to Him. He also wants us to understand the customs that we practice and know what they mean.

The Book of Romans says that everyone once knew God but exchanged the truth for a lie. As a result they began to worship created things and introduced traditions which God hates. God hates to be misrepresented.

When we look at the Holy Day Festivals of the Bible we can see rich meaning in every custom. During Passover we understand that the unleavened bread we eat is the body of Jesus and the wine represents His shed blood. As we eat unleavened bread during the seven days of the Feast we celebrate that we are "one bread" in Jesus and that He has made us unleavened. (sinless)

But when we compare these commanded observances with that of America’s traditional holidays we see many customs practiced which have no real connection to the occasion.

One should wonder how painted eggs distributed by a Easter Bunny connects with the resurrection of Jesus. Even the name "Easter" comes from an ancient pagan fertility goddess which God called an abomination.

 Though the death of Jesus is a commanded observance, there is no instruction to observe His birth. Yet millions do, and with customs and traditions which predate His birth. Erecting a tree in your house and lavishly decorating it, and then placing gifts at its feet seems like a strange connection. Mistletoe, burning the Yule log and stories of a jolly old elf bringing toys to all the good children also seems like a strange connection.

History is full of examples where people blindly accepted and practiced traditions which God actually hates. Shouldn’t we read His instructions to see how He desires to be worshiped? The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day had become trapped by their own traditions which they established to "honor" God. But Jesus said their worship was in vain. Let us beware the snare of tradition.