The Danger of Rituals

Scripture: Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan. 2 Chronicles 34:15

Observation: The Law had been lost!

We are talking here about the book where Moses wrote out, at the very least, Deuteronomy, and perhaps the entire Pentateuch. It included not only all the instructions that they were to follow, but details about the penalties for failure to follow the law. How could the Jews have lost this?

There's a simple answer: They lost it because they valued the rituals and practices of their belief system more than they valued the teaching of God. This isn't about kings leading the people astray, but about the priests - the guardians of the faith and keepers of the temple - becoming so preoccupied with their "work" on sacrifices, festivals, and rituals, that they eventually laid the book of the law aside for so long that they forgot where they had put it.

They now performed actions based on tradition, instead of based on knowledge of God and an understand of why they would perform those actions. They prayed and worshiped a ceremonially washed and sacrificed, without any knowledge of purpose. And that applies only to those who were still even doing that much.

Application: Does our church - either my local church or the Church of Jesus in the world - value ceremonial traditions over its relationship with Jesus? Of course, the answer is 'yes' in some situations. This is the source of stupid internal conflicts, such as arguments over worship music or the proper method to conduct the Lord's Supper.

How about personally? I ritualistically pray at some meals - I need to be more engaged with God in true thanksgiving for his provision in my life and not simply pray because it's what we do. I do my devotions, and I need to concentrate on the teaching and insight inspired by God's word instead of just reading in order to see if there's something I can write about. I attend church Sundays, and I need to ensure I am doing so because I love God so much that I want time with him and with his people, not just because it's what we do Sundays.

I believe every church, and many denominations, need to heed this warning, and keep their relationship with Jesus - and not ritual procedures - central in everything they do.

Prayer: Lord, the Jews actually lost your word. I have discovered that your word is precious to me - something I miss when I go a day or two without it. May I also remain focused on more than the word, but on you and our relationship, and may I place very little value in any sort of rote procedure or practice that I may do without understanding how it advances our relationship. Amen.