Mark 7:6-9–And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

In listening the past few months of arguments of professional athletes protesting the National Anthem by kneeling. I find it “interesting” how many Christians debate the issue of whether they have a right to protest.  Because the original theme behind the protest was those suffering injustice.  At that point, the discussion is, “what makes it invalid or not right to protest?”

Surely if injustice was being done to your child or family member, and you had an opportunity to voice your disagreement of such treatment, you would.  But suddenly if someone protest the validity of a symbol that declares freedom, liberty, and justice for all, there is an upheaval to the extent of being almost blasphemous!

Which is why Jesus called out the Pharisees, who held to the tradition of men tighter than the commandments of God.  Revealing that if our allegiance to a cherished tradition, outweighs our allegiance to uphold justice for others (literally for Christ sake), than we have an idol!  Jesus left no room for the Pharisees to uphold what was a sacred tradition from men, to outweigh a eternal principle from God.

I understand why unbelievers argue the point, because they may get their sole identity in being an American.  But for a Christian to argue the right for others to desire justice, even if it goes against a cherished American tradition, is to hold tighter to “tradition” than Christ!  Which is where we are to find our identity (Romans 8:29).

Sadly, it reveals that as much as we may praise God with our lips, our hearts can be far from Him (Mark 7:6).  Ironically, Jesus died for a justification before God that we didn’t deserve, yet they are many Christians ignoring justice deserved for others, because of a cherished tradition…

In His Love, Ld