Not all traditions are bad, but one that is contrary to the teaching of the Bible is wrong. Perhaps you can think of some that people keep which the Word of God condemns.
The Pharisees and the scribes were very careful about the tradition of washing hands, cups, pots and tables, but showed little concern about having a clean heart.
What a privilege we have in showing honor to our parents. Sometimes we forget this and disobey or say what is not pleasing to them. In the Old Testament, God said that if a child cursed father or mother, he was to be put to death; it was the law, without grace.
Next, we find that many things are mentioned that defile a man, but they all come from within his evil heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)). When we receive the Lord Jesus as Savior, He gives us a clean heart (Psalm 51:1010Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)).
In the Gospel by Mark, a Gentile woman is the only person who calls Jesus “Lord.” She was willing to take the place of a little dog under a table, just to get some of the blessing that the Lord was freely giving. Only as we humble ourselves can the Lord bring blessing into our lives as He did into hers.
What a hard case we have next, but “is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:1414Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. (Genesis 18:14)). He sighed over this pitiful man, then spoke a word and healed him. He wasn’t looking for public praise, for He said, “Tell no man.” The astonished people said, “He hath done all things well.” How true these words are!
1. The Pharisees and all the Jews would __________ their hands often in order to not break the tradition of their elders. Mark 7:___
2. Under the law of Moses, what would happen to anyone who cursed his father or mother? __________ Mark 7:___
3. What one word describes the many various things that come from within the heart of man and defile him? __________ Mark 7:___
4. The Syrophenician woman was willing to take the place of __________ under the table to get a crumb of blessing. Mark 7:___
5. When the Lord healed the poor man’s ears and tongue, the astonished people said, “He hath done all things __________.” Mark 7:___