Questions about Traditions

Introduction

Early in the twentieth century, the Russian Czar noticed a sentry posted in the middle of one of the gardens. As there appeared to be no explanation for the sentry's presence, he asked about the post. The reply baffled him. Late in the eighteenth century Catherine the Great had found the first flower of the year in that spot and commanded a sentry to be posted so that no one damaged the flower. For 127 years, a sentry had been standing in the same spot guarding nothing. Sometimes traditions last long past their usefulness - some leading to great expense or even danger. In Mark 2:18-22 Jesus answers a question about traditions. Study the passage to learn what God thinks about traditions.

Observation

Pray

Before digging into this passage, ask God to give you wisdom and understanding through His Word so that you can think and live in a way that pleases and honors Him.

Read Focus Verses

Read Mark 2:18-22 and notice the main issue in the passage.

The Issue

What is Jesus questioned about in these verses?

Keyword - Fasting

Marking the words fast and fasting will help them stand out in this passage.

Fasting

Mark the words fast and fasting in Mark 2:18-20.

Context

If you look at the next few verses, Mark 2:23-28, notice that this is not the only question they use to challenge Jesus.

Who?

Who fasted often?

Question

What question was Jesus asked in verse 18?

Three Parts

Jesus starts with questions in verse 19 and then teaching in verse 20 what is the other way Jesus answers their question in verses 21-22?

Answer

What is Jesus' answer in verses 19-20?

Bridegroom

Whose presence makes the difference between the time to fast and the time not to according to Jesus' answer?

First Illustration

What illustration does Jesus give in verse 21?

Second Illustration

What illustration does Jesus give in verse 22?

Keywords - Jesus Christ

Jesus is the main character in these verses. Marking His Name will emphasize this.

Jesus Christ

Mark the words naming or referring to Jesus in Mark 2:18-22.

Interpretation

Parallel

Matthew 9:14-17 has a parallel account of the story in today's passage.

Another Account

Luke 5:33-39 also recounts the same story.

Matthew

Who does Matthew record asking the question about fasting?

Luke

Who does Luke record asking the question?

Mark

Who does Mark record asking the question?

Putting it Together

How do these parallel accounts, each recording a different but compatible perspective, help us understand how to read the parallel Gospel accounts?

Rejection

What Jesus says about the Pharisees in Mark 7:6-9 helps us understand more about them in a way that will help unlock today's passage.

The Pharisees

What does Jesus say about the Pharisees and their traditions?

Fasting - The Backstory

In the Old Testament Law that God gave to Moses, there was one day a year - the Day of Atonement - when He commanded the people to deny themselves to focus on repentance and worship. Leviticus 16:29-31 is the first of three very similar commandments about this.

Humble Soul

Psalm 35:13 helps clarify that this humbling the soul includes fasting.

Connection

Isaiah 58:3-5 also makes this connection.

Pharisees' Fasts

The Pharisees had added many days when they said people should fast. But Jesus reveals their motives in Matthew 6:16-18.

Fasting

What was the Pharisees' motivation for their frequent fasting, and what did God think about that?

Request

The Bible gives several reasons for fasting. We've already seen some in Leviticus, Isaiah, and Matthew. We see another in Ezra 8:21-23.

Reasons

What are a few of the reasons to fast?

Word Picture

Jesus answers their question by proposing a situation. Can you imagine going to a wedding where they were fasting instead of rejoicing? What are some of the reasons you can think of that Jesus used the analogy of a wedding and what does that teach us about weddings?

Bridegroom

John the Baptist also called Christ the Bridegroom in his testimony about Jesus in John 3:25-36.

Engaged

2 Corinthians 11:2 speaks of the Christian life as a kind of engagement.

Marriage

In Revelation 19:5-9 we read of the marriage feast of the Lamb (Christ) and His bride (Christians).

A Picture

Ephesians 5:22-32 reveals that Christian marriage is to be a picture of the relationship between Christ and His people.

Analogy

What do these verses teach us about the relationship between Jesus Christ and those who trust in Him?

Indirectly

What do they teach us about marriage?

Taken Away

In Acts 1:6-11 we read about the day Jesus Christ ascended to heaven which He refers to in today's passage when He says the Bridegroom will be taken away.

Coming Back

Thankfully He's coming again as we see in Revelation 22:20.

Which Part

Which part of Jesus' answer applies to us right now? (Hint: He speaks of a time when the Bridegroom was there and of a time when the Bridegroom is not present.)

How?

You've already read Matthew 6:16-18. According to those verses, how does Jesus want His people to fast? Why?

All Things New

In the two short parables Jesus gave in verses 21-22 of today's passage He speaks of new things often requiring new settings. Consider what 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 says about Christ making things new. As you read, notice that it also talks about Christ having once been present and no longer being present as today's passage does.

New

Who has made things new?

Made New

According to 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 what has Christ done so that those in Him are made new?

Become New

This video explains what God says about how to be saved so that you can be made new.

In Your Words

If someone were to say that they wanted to become a Christian, what would you say? How could you explain how to become a new person in Christ?

New Traditions

What does Jesus' answer about new things needing new settings tell us about traditions? Notice that this is not a matter of obeying God's Law since it did not require frequent fasting.

Warning

Colossians 2:6-9 warns us that the Pharisees are not the only ones who had traditions that pushed people away from God.

Danger

What is the danger with traditions according to these verses?

Not All Bad

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 clarifies that this does not mean all traditions are bad.

For the Gospel

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-24 we see that sometimes Paul kept various traditions which weren't required but also weren't sinful so that he could more easily share the gospel with those to whom the traditions were important.

More Acceptable

The Pharisees, along with most others who consider their traditions to be as important as God's Word, thought they were more acceptable to God because they kept their traditions. We see this attitude in Luke 18:9-14.

God's Perspective

Colossians 2:10-23 gives us God's perspective on this.

Be Holy

1 Peter 1:13-23 shows us that this doesn't mean holiness is unimportant.

Before and After

Ephesians 2:8-10 reveals the difference between good works done to try to gain God's favor and those done out of gratitude and obedience.

The Difference

Putting these verses together, what is the difference between good and bad traditions?

Motivation

Even good traditions can be done wrong. What is the difference between good and wrong motivations for keeping traditions according to Scripture?

Bad Traditions

Based on what you've seen in God's Word today, what should Christians do regarding traditions that conflict with God's Word?

Unnecessary Traditions

Based on what you've seen in God's Word today, what should Christians do regarding traditions that are not necessary but also aren't wrong?

Good Traditions

Based on what you've seen in God's Word today, what should Christians do regarding traditions that are good?

Once More

Read Mark 2:18-22 once more in light of what you've studied from the Bible.

A Question about Traditions

In a few words summarize today's passage and what it teaches us about God's thoughts and how we should live.

Application

All Things New

Have you believed in Jesus Christ, turning away from your sin and your own efforts and trusting Him alone to save you for eternity? If not, won't you do that today? If so, are you living like everything is new since it is?

Stop

How has God's Word challenged your view of traditions today? Are there traditions you need to stop keeping because they contradict God's Word? Will you commit to stopping them completely?

Traditions

Are there traditions you need to embrace because they help you keep or remember God's Word? How will you start today or this year?

To Win Some

Are there traditions you know would help you win someone you know to Christ without disobeying Scripture?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you understand the danger and value of traditions and has challenged you to think about traditions like God does.

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