Family traditions, handed down over generations—or recently established—can be a real blessing to young and old alike. They help us remember and celebrate the past and give reason to anticipate the future. On the other hand, some traditions can be spiritually deadly. Jesus highlighted the danger when He warned, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8) In Jesus’ day many religious people went through the motions of faith without truly practicing that faith. That kind of religious traditionalism is self-centered and arrogant. It mistakes religion for a genuine faith relationship with God. It is often easier to recognize the failures of the past than to identify today’s mistakes. “Traditions” applies the teachings of Jesus to our own day and calls us to a joyful relationship with the risen Jesus.