In JesusÕ day there were many traditions and denominations of men, yet He wasnÕt a Pharisee, Sadducee, Zealot, or Herodian. All of these sects and beliefs were divided against each other, but when Jesus came in the way of righteousness they all united against Him! How did Jesus Christ respond to such contention and perplexity, and how should we respond today? The Lord Jesus responded, Òit is writtenÓ (Mark 9:13), Òhave ye not read that which was spoken unto you by GodÓ (Matt. 22:31), Òis it not writtenÓ (Mark 11:17), Òhave ye never readÓ (Mark 2:25), Òye do err, not knowing the scripture, nor the power of GodÓ (Matt. 22:29), and Òit is written againÓ (Matt. 4:7). The 21st century Church (Body of Christ) ought to be saying and doing the same things as Jesus did in the 1st century. Sadly, traditions of men that are religiously popular often go unchallenged, yet the scripture commands us to Òprove all thingsÓ (1 Thess. 5:21)Ébut are we willing to interrogate our traditions by what is written?
