Non-Heavenly Plants

Jesus said, "Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted" (Matthew 15:13.) Here Jesus makes a plain statement regarding the need to listen and follow the teachings as set forth by the Lord. Simply put, the words of Jesus are from the Father and anything not coming from Him is not of the Father and will be destroyed. This is a serious statement from our Lord and Savior that must find application in the lives and practices of religious folks today if we ever to be what Jesus wants.

In the context of Matthew 15, Jesus had been dealing with the subject of traditions (v.1-2.) These Pharisees placed great stock in traditions that had sprung up through the years, elevating such to the status of God's law but clearly such were the additions of man. Traditions, such as the washing of hands before eating, were simple add-ons that did not impress God but these Pharisees were too blind to see it.

Spiritual blindness is tough for us to see until it is pointed out. In Matthew 15:3-9, Jesus uses one of their traditions to show how they violated the very law of God. The law said to "honor Father and Mother" which involved financial support but they had the tradition of a son getting out of such financial honor because that son's money was supposedly earmarked to the Lord. Their interest was more in traditions and that made their heart far from the Lord (Matthew 15:8) and their worship vain (Matthew 15:9.)

Serving the Lord is a serious matter and all must consider who they wish to listen to - Jesus or traditions. Many today have the tradition of sprinkling water when the Bible says to "bury" or immerse in water for baptism (Romans 6:4.) It may be that the tradition is instrumental music when the New Testament says "sing" (Ephesians 5:19.) Whatever the practice, we must make sure it is by the authority of Christ or else our worship is vain and we are rooted up by the Father as a plant He didn't recognize.