9/11

Matthew 15:1-9

 

 

Do you remember where you were when the news broke about 9/11? I do. I was in a meeting. At first nobody realized the magnitude of what was happening, but as details were released it became clear. The United States had been attacked by Islamic terrorists resulting in over 3000 deaths. Unbelievable!

 

How could people rationalize or justify such evil behavior? In reality though, the human condition has rationalized behavior since the beginning of time, and then blamed someone else. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the snake; but both justified their rebellious actions. Not much has changed since then.

 

Consider then, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law in today’s passage. “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” (Have you ever noticed how a why question is actually an accusation?)

 

According to my NIV study Bible, the “tradition of the elders” was developed “after the Babylonian exile, when the Jewish rabbis began to make meticulous rules and regulations governing the daily life of the people. These were interpretations and applications of the law of Moses, handed down from generation to generation.”

 

It seems then, that in the beginning there may have been good intentions in the “tradition of the elders”. Ultimately though, it became a tool to rationalize and justify sinful behavior.

 

Here is Jesus’ response to their question above. “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” Jesus was good with why questions too. He didn’t pull any punches.

 

If we are honest with ourselves, we recognize that we justify and rationalize our behavior. Granted, we may not fly a jet into a building killing thousands; we may not rebel against God’s causing humanity to fall into sin; but we justify and rationalize our sinful behavior every day.

 

Jesus condemned the Pharisees. Are we any better? No. However, I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Romans: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord... Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

 

9/11 was the epitome of the pain and damage that rationalization and justification can do. In light of our sinful nature and what it is capable of, Paul’s words bring us great hope. They are words filled with life not death; words to help us turn from our sinful nature to become a new creation in Christ. Thanks be to God.