Truth over tradition
Mark 7:5
The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”
The religious thinking at the time was that sin could be transmitted by coming into contact with Gentiles or other “sinners.” Thus, the washing of the hands was not for hygienic purposes, but for religious purification.
While the priests needed to do ritual washings before entering the Tabernacle (Ex. 30:19; 40:13), religious tradition made this mandatory for all others to live a righteous life.
It’s not a big deal to wash your hands, right? Sure, it isn’t in the Bible, but why not just allow these religious leaders to do what they want? Jesus disagreed. For one, it makes it seem like sin is superstitious, floating in the air outside of us. Second, it lowers the nature of sin to something superficial (e.g. “skin deep”), and the solution for sin to be equally superficial (e.g. washing with water).
This question by the Pharisees, isn’t directed at Jesus, but at Jesus’ followers (disciples). If it could be shown that Jesus’ followers were immoral, the religious leaders could argue that these disciples picked up this practice from their leader. Of course, the religious leaders couldn’t indict Jesus or the disciples with breaking Scripture, because this entire practice came from the tradition of the elders.
(7:6-7) And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. ‘But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.
Jesus cites the fulfillment of Scripture to show how they are breaking from Scripture. If only they had emphasized the authority of Scripture, they would have seen that they were in clear violation of it. Jesus cites Isaiah 29:13 which is fulfilled in the religious hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes.
We need to watch out if we are Neglecting the commandment of God and holding on to the tradition of men. Mark 7:8
Sol.Bindu Saji