Break with Tradition 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Severally, Jesus Christ broke tradition. He healed a number of sick people such as the bent over woman (Luke Chapter 13 verses 10 to 16); the man with palsy (Luke Chapter 14 verses 1 to 6) on the Sabbath day. He also requested drink from a woman of Samaria; what was not acceptable to the Jews and the Samaritans. The fact that this request culminated in the salvation of the residents and indigenes of a whole city speaks to the benefits of sometimes breaking with tradition. Please see John Chapter 4 verses 1 to 42 for details.

The ten lepers cried to Jesus to ask for mercy. They expected to be healed immediately but Jesus did not pronounce the word of healing. Rather, Jesus asked them to go and present themselves to the priests. Fortunately, they were wise enough to obey Jesus. The Bible records that as they proceeded to the priests abode or temple; they were cleansed. Their obedience to the instruction of God through Jesus Christ gave them complete healing. They could have argued that there was no point going to the priests since they were not yet cleansed. They could have refused to obey. After all they asked to be cleansed, a prerequisite to showing themselves to the priests. And rather than heal them, Jesus sent them to the priests – to be humiliated or driven away from decent society? But as they obeyed, journeying to the priest, they received their healing and could confidently show themselves to the priests. In point of fact, one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus when he noticed that they were cleansed on their way to the priests.

Break with Tradition 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

General Naaman was obviously stuck to tradition. That explains why he took the bilateral diplomatic approach to seeing the Prophet Elisha. Rather than go to Elisha directly as advised by the Israelite servant girl to his wife; Naaman went to see the King of Syria. Also rather than send for Elisha or instruct Naaman to go see Elisha directly; the King of Syria sent a diplomatic letter to the King of Israel asking him to cure Naaman of his leprosy. Unfortunately, that letter caused quite a stir in the court of the King of Israel after the letter was read.

The Bible records that the King of Israel tore his robe and lamented as to why the King of Syria chose to take advantage of the issue of Naaman’s leprosy to pick a quarrel with him. To start with, the King of Israel was not God who can always heal, kill or make alive. Why then would the King of Syria saddle the King of Israel with the responsibility and task of curing Naaman? Fortunately for the King of Israel, Prophet Elisha heard about the travails of the King and quickly sent a message to the King to send Naaman to him.

Break with Tradition

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

In about every area of life there are defined or set ways of doing things referred to as tradition. While tradition can be sometimes helpful, it can also become a clog in a person’s wheel of progress. Some traditions have become rustic and should either be innovated upon or completely discarded.

Do not be tied to a specific or particular way of doing things or achieving results especially if it does not turn out right. There are quite a number of ways of doing things. Therefore, always think; prayerfully think outside the box to come up with other options especially new ways of doing things and achieving results faster. In essence, be innovative. Like it is said, there are many ways to kill a rat. Who would have believed that pearls can be cultured; therefore produced in greater quantity; and prices are to an extent affordable making pearls accessible to all. And just before you think it is only pearls; diamonds are now being produced in laboratories. Who would prefer searching for them below when they can be manufactured up here?

The Apostle Peter required money severally and always got it, albeit in different ways. To access the temple tax money for him and Jesus Christ, Peter was instructed by Jesus Christ to go fishing with a hook and not a net or boat. Additionally, Peter was instructed to take up the fish that came first; implying that other fishes, probably bigger ones could come up and eat the first. Significantly, the bigger fishes would command more money than the small fish when sold but unfortunately, Peter’s catch from this fishing enterprising was not for sale. It was a sort of money bank that had the money Peter required for the temple tax and all Peter was required to do after casting in the hook was to bring up that fish; open its mouth; take out the money in it and of course pay to the relevant authorities. Please see Matthew Chapter 17 verses 24 to 27. That resolved the immediate financial need of temple taxes.