Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Lifting us up Wednesday, February 27, 2008 Matthew 5:17 Jesus said to his disciples, "I have not come to abolish but to fulfill." The vaunted law of Israel grew from one simple statement in the Garden of Eden to ten commandments to thousands of Pharisee rules. Surely many people thought Jesus' simple teaching marked a move away from the law, but he said no. On the other hand, Jesus certainly was not going to add yet another layer of regulatory crust. Instead he changed the paradigm altogether, by proclaiming he had come to "fulfill" the law. Jesus tore nothing down. He built everything up. Being with Jesus was an edifying experience. His disciples changed over their three years with him. They knew themselves better, they knew God better, they knew how to relate to others better. They probably knew the law better too, but that's not the point. Jesus' emphasis always is on his fulfillment of the law. His ethic requires my obedience, of course; but obedience follows my submission to Jesus the savior. My obedience is a consequence, not a cause of relationship to God. Put very simply, I must first know I'm God's child before I can be God's servant. How much does this matter? It lets me focus on Jesus rather than myself, whether I'm failing or succeeding. Jesus doesn't say, "I'm disappointed in you, Dave." Instead he says, "I forgive you, Dave. Follow me." Why wouldn't I want to spend time with a God like that? Your words and touch bring life, Lord, always life. Always life. "; Add      Edit    Delete