The letter of the law

Today’s Reading: John 7:19 (NIV)

19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?

Galatians 3:14 (NIV)

14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Good day!

I’m guessing those religious leaders really did not like it when He said that no one keeps the law given by Moses. OUCH! That must have ruffled some self-righteous feathers. I know it shakes me up every time I reread this particular passage of Scripture. And then, of course, Jesus chases it with a question that completely pierces the soul – He asks why they are trying to kill Him. I don’t think the crowd even knew what the Pharisees were thinking about at that particular moment. Isn’t it amazing how Jesus Christ manages to go straight to the heart of the matter? For a man who often talks in parables, He sure knows how to make a point.

We’ve created all these rules to follow. God gave Moses the big Ten and we have somehow managed to expand them into large volumes of ordinances, constitutional amendments, and by-laws. Commentaries have been written on how to uphold the laws that have been put into place throughout the generations. We amend what seemingly no longer applies, looking for loopholes to get around the letter of the law. There is no getting around the law of God. We can try to clean up its language, making it more palatable to our own personal taste. Yet, truth has a way of dispelling the dark. When the crowds came, Christ’s Word cut them to the quick. Some left quickly. Others stood by and grumbled. Some continued to listen and seek out the greater meaning for their lives. There were a few who regretted they had failed to keep God’s law. And some even repented and received Christ’s grace and forgiveness, in spite of themselves.

A little bit of faith goes a long way when it comes to Christ’s redeeming love. For what is impossible with man is possible with God. And while we were stuck in a rut, Christ came to redeem us from our sin. This is Good News indeed for you and me!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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