The Old Things

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:1-8 ESV). On this day, in 1985, the first cans of “New Coke” rolled out of bottling and canning plants marking the 99th anniversary of Coca-Cola. In 1886, John S. Pemberton, an Atlanta druggist seeking a headache and hangover remedy, added kola nut extract to cocoa extract and produced Coca-Cola. Today, heavily sweetened carbonated drinks, or soda pops, are among the most popular beverages in the world. In the last two decades, the introduction of diet drinks containing artificial sweeteners has increased sales of carbonated beverages. Annual Coca-Cola sales alone total more than a billion dollars, and soda pops account for one-fourth of the annual sugar consumption in the United States. However, even with the intense marketing campaign that preceded the introduction of “New Coke.” The public would not accept the latest formula. “Classic Coke” was revived and soon eclipsed completely the new product. It was ultimately done away with completely. I was one of those who would accept the new coke. Perhaps you were also. I just didn’t like the way it tasted! I wish now I had bought a case and saved it. I’m sure it would be a collector’s item now. In our text this morning, Jesus teaches about the validity of traditions. They are not of themselves bad or good. Just like the new coke was neither bad nor good in concept. Most people preferred the taste of the old one. It failed in the market place because it didn’t taste as good. So it is with religious traditions. No matter how they may be “marketed,” when they don’t reflect an earnest desire to honor God, they are worthless. In today’s modern church, there are many examples of such traditions. There is a wonderful true story of a small plot of ground in Russia. If you were to visit the Kremlin grounds today you would see a small enclosed area of about 100 square feet (10’ x 10’) with a guard posted twenty-four hours a day. You might assume this is a very important historical spot, perhaps even the burial plot for some important historical figure. However, upon inquiry you would discover no such importance. In fact, you would see that in 1776, Catherine the Great was walking along the path and saw the first flowers of spring at this spot and wanted it preserved until the flower died. So, she posted a guard to protect it from the trampling feet of others. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months, months to years. The flower faded and died, but the guard was never released from that spot! Traditions may be good or bad. Judge them only on the motive of your heart in following them. How are you honoring God today in your traditions?