Jesus has Authority over Man-Made Traditions

Matthew 9:14-17 shows us that Jesus has authority over man-made traditions, false spirituality ands spiritual pride. These things hinder our growth in the Lord, our interaction with believers and our witness to the world. Pharisees thought strict adherence to and observance of traditional practices got them closer to God – they were naïve to think that got them anywhere with the Lord. If they were trackign with Jesus they would have known that actions devoid of the heart are empty and God sees right though it.

The disciples of John come and complaint to Jesus about how His disciples do not fast like they and the Pharisees do. They were feasting while others were doing without food and they were not happy about it! What, did they think they were somehow closer and more acceptable to God? We love to try and control the actions and decisions of others don’t we? But Jesus will have none of it. So in essence He says to them, “You want to know why, here’s why: your understanding of fasting is tweaked and your understanding of who I am is faulty. I am not like what you have been used to. I am God. I am making all things new. I am in charge here. Any more questions?”