LIVING ABOVE THE LAW
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17 (KJV)
In addition to the Beatitudes, Jesus went on to emphasize the divine purpose of His coming – to fulfil the law.
The heart of the law is Love. Nothing more – nothing less. A man obeys every rule but lacks love while a woman breaks a few rules but loves deeply. Jesus said, she understood the heart of the law.
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
And behold, a woman of the town who was an especially wicked sinner, when she learned that He was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment (perfume).
And standing behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with [her] tears; and she wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed His feet [affectionately] and anointed them with the ointment (perfume).
Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw it, he said to himself, If this Man were a prophet, He would surely know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him– for she is a notorious sinner (a social outcast, devoted to sin).
And Jesus, replying, said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. And he answered, Teacher, say it.
A certain lender of money [at interest] had two debtors: one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they had no means of paying, he freely forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?
Simon answered, The one, I take it, for whom he forgave and cancelled more. And Jesus said to him, You have decided correctly.
Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
You gave Me no kiss, but she from the moment I came in has not ceased [intermittently] to kiss My feet tenderly and caressingly.
You did not anoint My head with [cheap, ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly, rare] perfume.
Therefore I tell you, her sins, many [as they are], are forgiven her–because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little.
And He said to her, Your sins are forgiven! Luke 7:36-48 (Amp)
The Heavenly Father’s original intent is not that we follow robotically a rudimentary set of rules but that we understand His heart and follow out of deep love (as a response to His love towards us).
Christ fulfilled the law and through that redeemed us from its curse. Now He calls us to a higher life. A life pivoted in love for God and love for people.
I can’t easily get over the woman’s story. Look at the adjectives the Amplified version of the Bible used to describe her:
“A woman of the town who was an especially wicked sinner”. “A notorious sinner (a social outcast, devoted to sin)”. And yet to such Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven”! Her love was greater than the law. She became above the law.
Obeying God’s commandments must become an act of love. Even if we fall asleep long as our hearts are truly in love with Him, His mercy will flow unabated.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15 (KJV)
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21 (KJV)
Reflection:
– Do I follow God’s commands out of love or obligation?
– How can I live beyond mere rule-keeping and embrace the Spirit of the Law?
– What does fulfilling the law through Christ look like in my life.
Prayer:
I love you, Lord. With all that I am and all that I have I am totally enamored by you. Help me to love you more and obey your commands in Jesus’ name. Amen.
“God’s commands are designed to guide you to life’s very best. You will not obey Him if you do not believe Him and trust Him. You cannot believe Him if you do not love Him. You cannot love Him unless you know Him.”.” – Henry Blackaby
“When obedience to God contradicts what I think will give me pleasure, let me ask myself if I love Him.” – Elisabeth Elliot
Selah!