Danger of Extremes

When eyeglasses were first introduced they created quite a stir. Doctors opposed them as harmful to the eyes, and the clergy insisted that trying to restore failing eyesight by artificial means was an act of defiance against God. Both saw them as a danger to the wearer.

Around the turn of the 20th century, a group of Christians in Evanston, Illinois decided that the fizz in carbonated drinks was a danger as a corrupting influence on the young. They forbade the sale of ice cream sodas on Sunday. To circumvent the rule, ice cream parlors left out the soda and put a topping on their ice cream. This new concoction became known as the “Sunday.”

In Matthew 15 the Lord’s disciples were criticized for eating without first washing their hands. The tradition of the Jewish elders called for the washing of hands before meals. Hand washing among Jews was not simply an act of cleanliness, but a ceremony, and to neglect it was a sin as great as that of eating pork. “He who neglects hand washing deserves to be punished here and hereafter,” says the book of Sohar. They argued, “He is guilty of death…It is better to go four miles to water than to incur guilt by neglecting hand washing…He who does not wash his hands after eating is as bad as a murderer.”

The Law, however, said absolutely nothing regarding this practice. The Law did, however, command that children honor their parents, a practice which the Pharisees sought to free themselves from. Thus, they were more interested in upholding their traditions than adhering to the law of God. Jesus indicted them for binding traditions while ignoring direct commands from the Almighty. He further accused them of paying lip service and not offering heartfelt worship. This was precisely what Isaiah had predicted (Isaiah 29:13). Their worship was “vain” because it exalted the “doctrines of men” and ignored the commandments of God (Matthew 15:9).

In their quest for spirituality they had become ardent enforcers of tradition, but careless in regard to divine commands. Christians must be mindful of that danger and careful not to make a similar mistake. If we do, we will be just as guilty and our worship just as vain!