A Reflection on Matthew 15:1-9
I remember when I was an associate pastor, planning a community outreach event in our church’s fellowship hall. The space was beautiful but very formal, dominated by a large antique table in the middle of the room. I suggested we move it for the event to create a more open, welcoming space for people to gather and socialize.
But when I brought it up, one of the church leaders pushed back hard. “That table does not move,” he told me. Apparently, it might be damaged if we relocated it. I tried to explain that the table was becoming an obstacle to the very purpose of our event—creating a space for connection and outreach—but a few other voices encouraged me to let it go, saying I was making too much of it.
As I sat there, it struck me how we could become so protective of things like furniture that we lose sight of the bigger mission. The same pattern plays out in churches across America—small traditions or objects take on outsized importance. At the same time, we often push aside the work Jesus commanded of us.
Breaking Commandments for the Sake of Traditions
In Matthew 15:1-9, Jesus confronts the Pharisees over a similar issue. They were upset that His disciples didn’t follow the tradition of ritual hand washing before eating. To the Pharisees, this wasn’t just about hygiene—it was a ritual purity practice based on oral traditions known as the “tradition of the elders.” This tradition wasn’t part of the law of Moses, but religious leaders created it as extra protection against impurity.
Originally, hand washing was commanded only for priests (Exodus 30:19-21), but over time, the Pharisees extended this ritual to all Jews, making it a symbol of religious identity. In their eyes, these traditions were crucial to maintaining holiness.
However, Jesus challenged their focus on human traditions, pointing out that they had elevated these rules above the commandments of God. In verse 6, Jesus accuses them of nullifying the word of God for the sake of their traditions. He then quotes Isaiah 29:13: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Jesus’ critique is explicit: when human traditions become more important than obeying God’s word, we’ve missed the point entirely.
This theme isn’t only in Matthew 15. In Colossians 2:20-23, Paul warns against being taken captive by human traditions that promote a false sense of spirituality. Similarly, in Galatians 1:6-9, Paul expresses concern for those who abandon the true gospel for a distorted version, which often arises from human preferences rather than godliness. And in Revelation 2-3, Jesus warns the church in Ephesus that they had “abandoned the love they had at first” and the church in Sardis that they “have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead,” indicating that their focus is misplaced, even if they appear lively.
Traditions in the Contemporary Church
Today, many American churches face a similar challenge as the Pharisees did in Jesus’ time. We often prioritize traditions that have little to do with the core teachings of Scripture, losing sight of the mission Jesus gave us. Here are a few common traditions that can overshadow our commitment to the word of God:
1. Building-focused ministries: Churches can become overly invested in maintaining beautiful buildings and grounds, often at the expense of outreach and service to the community. The desire to preserve our church facilities can lead to an inward focus, diverting attention from serving those outside the walls.
2. Rigid service formats: Many congregations hold tightly to traditional service formats led by a few select people, valuing order and familiarity over genuine worship and responsiveness by all to the Holy Spirit. This rigidity can stifle creativity and limit the church’s ability to adapt to new ways of reaching people.
3. Emphasis on programs over relationships: Church programs can become an end in themselves, overshadowing the importance of personal relationships and discipleship. While programs have their place, prioritizing them can lead to a culture where Christians feel like mere consumers and participants rather than active, engaged members of the body of Christ.
4. Cultural preferences: Sometimes, churches develop unspoken cultural norms that dictate how members should dress, speak, or behave, which can alienate those from different backgrounds. We risk creating unnecessary barriers to the gospel when we place these cultural expectations above the call to love and reach others.
These are just a few examples that illustrate how easily we can fall into the trap of elevating traditions above what Jesus commanded. I could list many more, and you could probably think of more from your experience.
As followers of Jesus, we must regularly evaluate our practices against Scripture and ask ourselves whether they align with God’s commands. Are we more concerned with maintaining our traditions than fulfilling the Great Commission and commands to love and serve one another? It’s time to return to the heart of being the Church and ensure our focus is on loving God, loving neighbors, and making disciples.
A Call to Action: Embracing True Discipleship
Let's be careful not to get too attached to our versions of “tables” and lose sight of what truly matters.
The call to follow Jesus with our whole hearts is radical. It requires us to leave behind man-made religious traditions that hinder our discipleship and the church's mission. As the priesthood of all believers, we are empowered to be the church, actively making disciples, engaging in meaningful relationships, and fostering genuine community.
We must remember that our purpose is not to preserve traditions but to spread the Kingdom to a needy world. We can make this our sole focus by prioritizing the commands of Jesus and the apostles and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us.
Let’s not be like the Pharisees, honoring God with our lips while our hearts remain far from Him. Instead, may we seek to align our practices with His word.