Pass the tradition

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!" Mark 7:8,9

The Kona IRONMAN World Championship took place last Saturday. Described as "triathlon's most iconic event", it is surely something to see. But did you know that there is a wacky tradition that precedes it? In its 19th running, the Kona Underpants Run took place on Thursday, Oct. 6. The 1.5 mile jaunt features the triathletes racing in nothing but their colorful and cleverly themed skivvies (women wear tops) and has been used as a way to blow off pre-race jitters as well as give back to local organizations in the community by giving them the proceeds from the race.

When it comes to following tradition, the Bible tells us that it is not always a good thing. You see, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law observed many traditions that were handed down by men above the commands handed down by God.  And when they questioned Jesus as to why his disciples did not adhere to the same rituals they did and were eating food with unwashed hands, Jesus called them hypocrites and rebuked them by saying "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!" Notice the exclamation point? Jesus was pretty serious that God's commands come before any person's or church's customs.

So, while not all traditions are bad, any that claim to be as relevant or more important than God's law are. Good traditions should always lead us to and exalt Christ above all.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of your Word that we might follow it's teachings above any that man has ever taught us or history has ever passed down to us. Help us to follow you first just as Jesus did, laying aside the traditions made by men and the church to follow the Truth. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Above all - Michael W. Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjYiEyu8Si8

http://running.competitor.com/2016/10/news/triathletes-strip-annual-kona-underpants-run_156848#YrwQG83eMBdYuj6F.99