law vs love

Sometimes it is hard to understand Jesus’ instructions to the Jews. He spoke about obedience to the law, when He knew the law would be done away with. We as Christians do not keep the law, and yet some think we should observe Jewish traditions and holidays. Religious activity, well . . . it makes us feel religious.

Some ministers are now teaching that Christians should keep the law. They are not seeing the purpose for which Jesus came to the earth. The reason Jesus did not tell the Jews to forsake the law was that it was His Father’s purpose that Jesus fulfill the law (Mt 5:17). The law couldn’t be abolished “until everything is accomplished” (Mt 5:18).

When Jesus encouraged the Jewish people of His time to keep the law He actually strengthened the religious system that would send Him to the cross. That’s how dedicated Jesus was to doing His Father’s will. If the law had been done away with before Jesus’ crucifixion, He would not have been a sacrifice, but just an unfortunate persecuted person who died on the cross.

Jesus met the requirements for accomplishing the fulfillment of the law when He was sacrificed on the cross for our sins. That is why He cried “It is finished.” (Jn 19:30) Through Jesus, the sacrifice was complete. Christ, then, became the ending of the law (Rm 10:4).

Those who keep the law today are not doing God’s will, for it is not traditions and sacrifices He desires. It is love that meets God’s requirements (Rm 13:8-10). Love sacrifices itself for the good of others, and is crucifying in its requirements. Today if you are tempted to feel religious, choose love instead. Jesus became the end of the law so that we would follow after love. Amen