Matt. 22:34-39
Background:
In the 4 Gospels the law is always mentioned. Pay attention to the squences of event. These are mentioned before Jesus dies on the Cross. In other words, God deal with the people before the Cross with the law and not with people after the Cross. In theological terms, they belong to the Law Dispensation and the church is under the Grace Dispensation. Not everything applied to them can be directly applied to us. However, the priniciples behind the Scriptures are always beneficial to us.
Sharing:
One of the opponent of the Pharisee is the Sadducees. Now they are being defeated by Jesus (v.34), they feel the biggest threat. Therefore one of them think he is an expert of the law (v.35) probably because he memorizes perfectly about the law, or he knows all the details of the law. He thinks of the most difficult question (v.36) and wants to argue with Jesus. Jesus tells them the most important thing of the law is your relationship with God and man. The rest of the law is to steer you in this direction. The law is given to Israel and tells them how to live as a nation of God. Therefore, there are a lot of details telling them how to worship God, and how to live as a community. Behind all these "how to" is the love. Without love no one want to obey. This principle is also applicable to me today. When I choose to obey God and not the world, sometimes it is not so easy. Love becomes a motivation for me.
Background:
In the 4 Gospels the law is always mentioned. Pay attention to the squences of event. These are mentioned before Jesus dies on the Cross. In other words, God deal with the people before the Cross with the law and not with people after the Cross. In theological terms, they belong to the Law Dispensation and the church is under the Grace Dispensation. Not everything applied to them can be directly applied to us. However, the priniciples behind the Scriptures are always beneficial to us.
Sharing:
One of the opponent of the Pharisee is the Sadducees. Now they are being defeated by Jesus (v.34), they feel the biggest threat. Therefore one of them think he is an expert of the law (v.35) probably because he memorizes perfectly about the law, or he knows all the details of the law. He thinks of the most difficult question (v.36) and wants to argue with Jesus. Jesus tells them the most important thing of the law is your relationship with God and man. The rest of the law is to steer you in this direction. The law is given to Israel and tells them how to live as a nation of God. Therefore, there are a lot of details telling them how to worship God, and how to live as a community. Behind all these "how to" is the love. Without love no one want to obey. This principle is also applicable to me today. When I choose to obey God and not the world, sometimes it is not so easy. Love becomes a motivation for me.
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