Saturday in the Word | Challenging Sacred Cows

Every community has its sacred cows. Sacred cows are the beliefs, traditions, and methods we’ve come to see as untouchable. Often they start as faithful practices, rooted in wisdom and experience. But over time, they hardened into rules we dare not question.

Yet, in the Gospels, we see that Jesus often challenged the sacred cows of His day. When the Pharisees valued the letter of the law more than the spirit of love, Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1–6). When religion became more focused on reputation instead of relationship, He called it out for what it was: empty ritual.

Mark 3:1-6 ESV

1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. ² And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. ³ And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” ⁴ And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. ⁵ And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.⁶ The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

Jesus didn’t question traditions simply to provoke people. He did it to free them, to remind them that God desires mercy, not sacrifice, and that love fulfills the law.

Matthew 9:13 ESV

Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Maybe it’s time we take inventory of our own sacred cows that we defend more than we examine, the habits that have outlived their fruitfulness, and the ideas we cling to out of fear rather than faith.

God isn’t threatened by our questions. In fact, He often uses them to draw us closer to His heart.

Prayer

Precious Lord, help me to see where I’ve made an idol out of comfort, tradition, or fear. Give me the courage to question what no longer reflects Your truth. Lead me into a deeper obedience,one rooted not in routine, but in love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™

You can now find my articles in The Christian Grandfather Magazine.

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