Text:
Matthew 15:1-9
Memory Verse:
“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread” (Matthew 15:2).
Scientists placed four monkeys in a cage and in the middle a ladder with
bananas at the top. Whenever a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists showered the rest of the monkeys with cold water. After a while, the others beat up any monkey that went up the ladder. Subsequently, no monkey dared go up the ladder. One of the monkeys was replaced with a
new one which naturally went up the ladder for the bananas! Immediately, the other monkeys beat it up. After several beatings the new member learned not to climb the ladder without knowing why.
The second, third and fourth monkeys were replaced at intervals too and they all behaved like the first replacement. They received the same punishment until the group was left with four new monkeys who, though never received a cold shower, continued to beat up any one that attempted to climb the ladder. If the monkeys were asked why any monkey that went up was beaten up, the
answer would probably be “that is how things are done around here!” Jesus had problems with the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees; they were rigidly protecting the ways of men and causing them to resist God. They had traditions that would never bend, no matter what, bringing about delay to the counsel of the Lord. Any prejudice that you or a church holds that does not allow the move of God, however noble, innocent, spiritual it sounds or looks, is only the tradition of elders and not God’s. Tradition is blind, it does not see the ways of God.
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, help me to follow You correctly.
2. Help me, Lord, to know Your current moves and follow them.
