Christmas – the season of Bible movies on TV – like the one in the picture. Maybe because of that I have been captivated lately by Jesus’ take on the Law given to Moses. It is fascinating because He himself says that he has not come to destroy the law, but fulfill it. Many take that to mean that the rules and feasts and other observances of orthodox Judaism should be followed by Christians as well. Paul and the other Apostles did not. They understood Jesus’s meaning – that the law exists to be our teacher, and its supreme lesson is this:
There is none righteous.
Jesus came for one purpose – to fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law on our behalf. The Law was true, and just and good, but we were incapable of fulfilling it. The Law puts into writing the metaphysical reality of the universe as God created it – sin must be atoned for by the shedding of innocent blood. And “when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” The single greatest truth in all of human history.
But the people of Jesus’ day missed the point, and many times we still do today (that’s a corporate “we” – meaning all of us, especially me). They missed that those “under the law” needed to be redeemed as much as everyone else. They were continually peppering Him with questions about the interpretation of the Law on specific points. In modern times, we dub this “legalism”. It is a perpetual obsession with the question: “How far is too far?” Or “Is it legal?”
In American society, we ask this question all the time. In business, sports, or relationships, what is the limit? What constitutes cheating – in my marriage or on my taxes? Is all really fair in love and war? What is “ethical” or “unethical.”
For the most part, we fall back on the rules. “Technically, my company does not prohibit X, so it is not wrong.” “No one directly asked me just the right question, so I didn’t lie.” And so on. When faced with the Word in the Flesh, the questions were similar:
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?
Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?
Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
These are questions dripping with self-righteousness and self-justification. “I follow the letter of the law, so I am right.” This in a culture where following the Law was the only path to salvation. They forgot that Abraham was justified by his faith BEFORE the law (but I digress, read Hebrews and Romans for more on that). To Jesus, “right” was simply not enough:
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see…
‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.’
We are increasingly interested in legalism. Both wings of Christianity use it to justify their actions. “The Bible doesn’t say this is wrong specifically, so it’s okay for me to do whatever I want.” TRANSLATION: “It’s not against the rules.” On the other end, “You don’t follow every rule in the Bible the way I do or think you should, therefore you are wrong, and I have moral authority.” TRANSLATION:Â “I am right because I follow the rules better.”
The religious people of Jesus day relied on their own righteousness. Jesus taught that “right” just wasn’t enough. You have to be redeemed. And reborn. To the religious, he says:
I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
To the libertine he says:
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
And then launches into a series of teachings (Matthew 5-7) on how to have a righteousness that exceeds legalism.
To us all, He says:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
For my part, I have lived in both extremes – I grew up in a world that valued outward piety and regard for “the rules”, with little thought of the heart and no room for failure or forgiveness. I have also at times believed the lie that “if it isn’t in the rule book, it’s okay to do and be proud of, even if it violates my conscience” is a valid way to see the world. So you see, I really am talking about me :-).
This Christmas, as I think about the Baby who came to save us all, I am praying He will save me from legalism – both self-righteous brands of it – and free me to live in forgiveness, grace, and true right acts and attitudes. The promise of the Manger and the Cross are that we can be released from our sin and guilt and free to learn to live like Jesus. If we are truly free, then, let’s not create chains of legalism for ourselves – even if it affects our free time activities or sense of smug self-worth.
Oh – and Merry Christmas!
