THE LAW, SIMPLIFIED
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Matthew 5:18, ESV
Theme: For believers, Jesus simplified the Law into how we love God and love others.
RULES GIRL
If you don’t yet know me personally, let me tell you: I am a rules girl, a completely “black and white” person. It has taken me a long time to develop any sense of grace or mercy. I can finally see shades of nuance and varying viewpoints, but it’s been a long, rough road.
As a teenager, I once filled in for the Youth Minister’s secretary for two weeks. I had a heart-to-heart talk with him: it was not “right” to use church staff to fill out his dog pedigree papers and use a church stamp to mail the application. Mind you, I was seventeen...talking to my student pastor!
THE OLD GUARD
The Jewish leaders lived and died by the Law, which God gave to Moses. They added to the Law and made it unbearable. But the basic Law of honoring God, honoring others, general morality, and dietary restrictions were both good and for their good! In our verse for today, Jesus says not one tiny piece of the Law will go away until all is accomplished. Yet we know that some of the Law has been abolished. Peter was shown a vision that ended the distinction between clean and unclean food. That’s why we get to eat bacon with our eggs and pancakes. We don’t keep the Sabbath on Saturday, though we do have a day of rest. Still, it is not like the Sabbath laws that do not allow you to walk or turn on the stove or ride in an elevator. There is much more freedom.
As we learned this weekend, in many ways, Jesus affirmed and expanded the law. It’s no longer about not committing adultery; Jesus tells us that lusting in our hearts is as sinful as committing the act. So, what did He mean?
BACK TO THE BASICS
Jesus promoted to preeminence two laws: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40, ESV). He affirmed the heart and intent of the old Law, because to love God is the first part of the Ten Commandments and reinforced in Deuteronomy.
Then Jesus simplified even further for every believer. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34, ESV). Love trumps all. Just as God loves me and has forgiven me so much, I am to love others with His deep love. And you are given this same commandment. Even if someone fails to keep God’s Law, we are commanded to love.
Make It Personal: Are you more concerned with rules than relationships--your relationship with God, your neighbors, and other believers? Believe me, it is hard to remember and practice love. It is far easier to have a checklist and declare yourself righteous. The Law reminds us that we need a Savior. Jesus reminds us that what we need most, and what the world needs most, is His love expressed through us.
Pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the simplicity of Your truth and the depth of Your love. Help us not to complicate what You have made clear for every believer. You have called us to love one another, just as You love us—unconditionally, sacrificially, and without hesitation. May our hearts reflect Your grace in every interaction, valuing relationships over rigid rules, and compassion over correction. Let the world see and feel Your presence through us, that we may be living examples of Your love in action. In Christ Jesus' Name, Amen.
Read: John1 13:34-35, Matthew 22:34-40
Weekly Memory Verse: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17, ESV