This morning I felt like I should read from John's Gospel, chapter nine. I am quite familiar with this chapter, so I was wondering if the Lord was wanting to review one of the main topics in this chapter. Instead I fond myself wondering about the Sabbath regulations, for that is what the Pharisees were all upset about concerning Jesus' healing, for he had made mud on the Sabbath.
Here are the verses from John 9:1-7, 13-16 NIV:
[1] "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. [2] His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
[3] “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. [4] As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. [5] While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
[6] After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. [7] “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
[13] They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. [14] Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. [15] Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
[16] Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided."
Apparently the Sabbath regulations were very limiting and the Pharisees were the ones who judged behavior and compared it to the book of Jewish law (Talmud). This book was based on the original scriptures (Torah), but then added clarity and additional refinement of the laws. Much of it is composed of questions and then discussions about the question. So at some point after reading the original verses from Exodus concerning the Sabbath, someone asked the question, 'what exactly is work?' Here is the original verse - Exodus 20:10 NIV: ..."but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns."
Thus, when Jesus made mud, He must have been doing something that was forbidden according to the Talmud, after they had thoroughly defined work to include making mud. One can almost appreciate the concern of the Pharisees, for many of these extended laws had existed for centuries, and were widely held and embraced by the people. When Jesus comes doing amazing miracles, but doing some of them on the Sabbath, they were in a serious conundrum.
This whole situation causes one to wonder about the original intent of God, and the modification of that intent by man, expanding it and modifying it as it made sense to them. One wonders how much of today's Christian walk is comprised of similar expansions of God's original intent. This is a very slippery slope to walk upon, for the Holy Spirit clearly brought about new revelation after Jesus ascended for that is His job, as described by Jesus (John 16:13), so we can't limit ourselves to just what Jesus said, and what is in the Old Testament. Neither can we just limit ourselves to that which is in the New Testament, for clearly not everything is covered, especially in this modern age. How do we discern God's intent and embrace the freedom that Jesus purchased for us (Gal 5:1)?
There are a couple of important things to consider. First, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law so that we don't need to, and He has set us free from the Law (Rom 8:2). His blood purchased forgiveness for every sin under the law (Heb 9:15). Second, Jesus established a New Covenant (Luke 22:20) and gave us a new commandment (John 13:34). It seems the New Testament understanding of fulfilling the law was based on this "new" command - as Paul wrote - Galatians 5:14 NIV: "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” So when we read about the Law in the Old Testament, they really don't apply to us anymore, as Jesus has freed us from them.
Jesus in His famous "Sermon on the Mount" (Matt 5:3 - 7:28) made it clear that the Father was more concerned about our hearts and minds than about external obedience. He was speaking for the Father (John 12:49), and describing for us the heart and intent of the Father. It is possible to perfect in works (Old Covenant), but completely lost in heart and mind, and that is what Jesus was addressing during this extended description of God's perspective. The Father is after our hearts, and desirous of our affection. He sent Jesus to demonstrate His character and heart - and when we see Jesus, we see the Father (John 14:9).
Jesus was doing exactly what the Father told Him to do when He healed the man born blind. He made mud because that is what the Father said to do. The Father was the author of the original Ten Commandments, and He knew exactly what He meant. He wanted the people to stop their work and rest and consider God's love and provision. What greater show of love and provision than to provide new eyes and a new life to one who had been born blind? The Sabbath was about honoring God, not about refraining from work, and that is where we so often get it wrong. We look at things from a 'don't do this perspective', rather than embracing a positive perspective change about God's love, faithfulness and provision.
I can almost see God trying to tell the people about His love and faithfulness, His mercy and compassion, and all the people wanted to know was what they couldn't do. They were more worried about the rules then they were about relationship. Thus the new command was all about relationship - "love one another".
Thus, I am encouraged today to look at my heart and mind and see if I have missed the intent of God. Am I more concerned about obedience to rules, than I am about relationship? Am I pursuing relationship with God first? In our church, are we more concerned about programs than we are about people? Are we more focused on liturgy than on love for one another? Are we leading with love and relationship, or leading with rules and requirements?
Lord help me to focus on that which You are focused on. I want to have my heart in line with Your heart. I want to live my life fulfilling Your intent, and revealing Your intent to those around me. You are love, and so often we miss that because of our concern for the rules.
No comments:
Post a Comment