Human traditions and culture can be quite beautiful and valuable, but not if they become an excuse to not love one another. Some of the higher religious authorities travel to see Jesus and when they do, the fixate on how Jesus' disciples fail to follow the tradition of the Pharisees. In a very direct response, Jesus exposes their hypocrisy. He points out that they value their traditions so much that they use them to escape from God's commands. Likewise, our traditions can be quite beautiful and valuable, but they must all be evaluated in the light of God's command to love one another.

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Resources for "New Testament in a Year"

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For Reflection:

- Have you experienced human traditions coming into conflict with God's Word? (Perhaps within your church?) How did people handle the conflict between the two?

- There is always a temptation to allow religious practices to become a substitute for religious devotion, or even a mask to cover up disobedience. How might we guard against this temptation, and how might we recognize when it's happening?

- Prayer: Lord, keep me from losing sight of the true heart of religion — to love you and love others.