new republic. How were the people supposed to live in harmony? Guidance was needed. A legal
framework was constructed from a macro-management point of view.
The Preamble to the Constitution describes the logic behind the formation of American laws:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare,
and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States
of America.
The laws of our land are meant to enhance our lives by uniting us as a people who would enjoy justice,
tranquility, safety, general welfare, and liberty. Laws are not meant to be an annoyance to the citizenry.
Laws are intended to help us be united as a civilized people.
The laws of Scripture are intended to assist Christians with the way we are to live as a people in
relationship with God.
In the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), the first five books are known as Torah,
popularly translated as “law.” A better definition of Torah would be “instruction, guidance, direction.”
Torah – law – instructs God’s people. Torah guides God’s people. Torah directs God’s
people. The purpose of Torah is to help the people know how they are to live as a community in
covenant relationship with God.
The New Testament retains the law of the Old Testament and, at the same time, the law is
superseded by the love of Christ.
Jesus acknowledges the importance of the law for God’s people. And he recognizes that with
any law there is a need for interpretation and adherence. There are times to follow the letter of the law
and times to honor the spirit of the law.
Personally, Jesus was traditional in his religious practice of Judaism. He was faithful in going to
the synagogue on the sabbath (Mark 1:21); attending the religious festivals (Mark 11:1); and teaching in
the temple (Mark 1:29). Jesus did not criticize the common religious practices of giving alms, fasting,
and prayer. (Matthew 5:23) He, himself, wore garments with fringes called for by Judaism. (Mark
6:56)
At the same time, we know that Jesus was a friend of sinners – he would not ignore categories
of people because the law seemed to forbid such interactions. (Matthew 11:19) Jesus would not be
inhibited by the sabbath – he taught that “the sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for
the sabbath.”(Mark 2:27) Jesus did not condemn those who, in the eyes of others, were unclean – he
made a distinction between human traditions and the commandment of God. (Mark 7:9) Jesus did not
allow divorce to burden a woman’s life – he called for equality in marriage. (Mark 10:2)
The law of the Hebrew Scriptures are not abandoned because of Christ; they are fulfilled. Jesus
makes clear his understanding of the role of the law for his followers when he says in Matthew 5:17,
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to
fulfill.”
Jesus speaks with authority. He claims his role as one who will help the people understand the
law of God. He knows the law exists for a reason. God is intentional in giving the law to God’s people.
Jesus will assist the people with their embrace of the law because they will benefit by the order God
gives them through the law.
 |
 |
 |