PODCAST
The Law: Letter or Intent?
January 6th, 2016
Luke 6:1-11
When the letter of the law and its intent appear to conflict, we tend to ask that the grace-filled intent be applied to our situation rather than the unyielding letter of the law.
Jesus was not above the law, and yet He rejected the bondage of rigid interpretation assigned by religious leaders. So, when a need became clear on the Sabbath, all eyes were on Jesus. The Pharisees and teachers of the law sought reasons to denounce Him. After all, they had rules. It was their accepted duty to detect and judge infractions. Healing was “work” and therefore banned from Sabbath activities. Judging and tearing others down, however, deserved no such day of rest!
In their zeal, they willingly judged and tore down on the Sabbath, even seeking to destroy Jesus, while professing to guard and uphold the law.
In self-righteous superiority, they totally missed the heart of God revealed in the Son–to seek and save the lost, bind up the brokenhearted, and set prisoners free.
Author: Gary Shank
