Matthew 15:1,2 Following God or tradition?

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Wow! Is God great?!?! YES HE IS!! Yesterday we talked about many people seek Jesus for the physical healing only; we need to seek Him for the spiritual healing as well.

Matthew 15:1,2 KJV "Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.""

Now as we look at this, see if you can see a relationship from ancient times, 2000 years ago, to now. The Pharisees and teachers of religious law came from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish authority and they were watching, no scrutinizing Jesus' activities.

Over the centuries, since the Jews' came out of captivity, hundreds of religious traditions had been added to God's laws. Oh, does this ring of today? We, the church, working for one cause, salvation, and we have all kinds of different "religious traditions."

The Pharisees and teachers of religious law considered all laws equal, church tradition and God's laws. Some religious traditions can add richness and meaning to life, but we must not assume that because our traditions have been practiced for years, they should be elevated to a sacred standing.

God's principles never change and his law doesn't need additions. Traditions should help us understand God's law better, not become laws themselves.

We, the church, will argue amongst ourselves about our traditions; baptism-sprinkling or dunking; speaking in tongues-yea or nay; dancing-sinful or okay; and on and on. Have we lost sight of the Holy One - Jesus? No, but we have given satan a foothold to divert our attention to "other things."

When Mary and Joseph could not find the boy Jesus, they went back and found him, what did Jesus say? Why do you worry, don't you know I would be about my father's business? Can you say this, that you are about your Father's business? My prayer for you and me today is that we would be involved in the work our Father has for us. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny