The Proper Place Of Tradition

We all know the comfort that tradition can bring us.

Family traditions over the holidays, birthdays

Church traditions - singing hymns, Candlelight Christmas eve services,

The way we have always done it.

For years after Pat and I were first married - Bowed and/or genuflect - before sitting in the pew.

I am reminded of a story of a pastor who had resigned from his church after 35 years. He was loved by his church and community. Eventually the church called a younger pastor to replace him in hopes of great things taking place for the church. The younger pastor had a great desire excel in all the expectations and to please the church each day.

However, after a few months the young pastor sensed that something was not right in the church and call an informal meeting with some of the leaders. He told them that he felt something was wrong and that he was not meeting their expectations as pastor. After a few awkward moments of silence on the older leaders spoke up and said, “Preacher, I hate to say it, but you are doing the Communion service wrong. You are leaving something out of it that is very important to all of us!” The young preacher’s eyes filled with water and with a trembling voice he asked, “Can you please tell me what I am leaving out of the Communion service?” The older leader spoke up again and said, “For the past 35 years our beloved pastor would walk over to the radiator in the sanctuary, tap it three times, and then would commence with the Lord’s Supper. You are leaving out the radiator!” The young pastor thanked the older leaders for their time to meet with him, they prayed together and that concluded the meeting.

Now to find out the real story! The young pastor immediately went home an called the retired pastor to see if the story was true. Much to the surprise of the new pastor, the older pastor told him the story was true and why he did it. He said, “I always touched the radiator because the leather soles on my shoes would build up static electricity, so I would tap the top of the radiator to discharge the buildup so I wouldn’t shock them.”

Traditions can be so good and wonderful. However, we also know there is a bad side to traditions too. If they become gospel to us. If our traditions get in the way of us truly knowing God.

Well. we are going to see today that Jesus speaks to the power of tradition and how religious people, if they are not careful, can allow traditions to become Law in their lives. Even more important than God.

PRAYER

Background: Well, as we saw last week, the disciples have had a really wild and amazing couple of days! Last week we saw that Jesus was walking on the water and ended up allowing Peter to come to Him out standing in the wind and wave swept lake. After a brief interaction between the two, they ended up back in the boat where our weary, drenched, and exhausted disciples could do no more in their own strength and finally did what any of us would have done, they acknowledged who Jesus truly is as the Son of God, the Messiah, the promised one, the Savior of all, and they worshipped Him!

We don’t know what their worship looked like. Obviously, no worship band, no lyrics up on a screen. Just heartfelt, soul shattering acts of adoration and praise. We can only imagine what that time of worship was like. But it had to be momentous and life changing!

Now, Matthew next records that they have arrived at the other side of the lake in a place called Gennesaret.

PRAY

Matthew 14:34-15:20

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

They climb out of the boat and are immediately recognized. And, as was usual in this part of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the next thing we see is everyone bringing their sick to Him.

Interestingly, the text shows us that they had great faith in this place. Vese 26 tells us they, “begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.”

They didn’t require any words, no special actions, just let the sick touch the edge of your cloak. The result? It worked! Everyone who just touched the edge of His cloak was healed! Not a few, not a couple, not the majority, everyone!