When the self proclaimed Religious leaders of that time brought a woman before Jesus, to be judged for a sin that she had committed. They asked Jesus what should be done to her, knowing that the LAW said that she should be stoned to death, Jesus said "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her". (John 8:7)
When we look at the Pharisees in Jesus' day, we do not see law keepers who were condemned for striving for the letter of the law. Instead we see hypocrites who usurped the law with the traditions of the elders. They lifted themselves up above others, and picked at the law, choosing only what they wanted to keep for themselves.
"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men; the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." (Mk 7:8)
But this doesn't mean Jesus didn't care about the law. Many Christians, have wanted to paint Jesus as anti-law and use that picture as an excuse for dissident and maverick attitudes. But in reality Jesus cared very greatly for the law. He said that he came not to destroy it but to complete it, and when it came to the civil law he was happy to 'render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's'.
So what's his point? When asked to name the greatest commandment he replied: to love God and your neighbour as yourself'; because love is the spirit of all positive human interaction. You might say he was big on morality and the roots of morality. He wanted to distil the spirit of the law, and free it from all its accumulated trappings and impurities. He said 'You have heard it said thou shall not murder but I say to you whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement'.
When we keep the letter of the law, we must also keep the spirit of the law. To keep the letter of the law, but ignore the spirit, is death. Likewise, to keep the spirit of the law, but ignore the letter, is death. It is not possible to do one without the other, and yet be justified in God's eyes. For those who believe it is possible to disregard the letter of the law, yet keep the spirit of the law, at the same time, please explain how it is possible to disregard the "letter of the law" forbidding physical adultery, yet keep the spirit of the law while committing physical adultery. Or to disregard the "letter of the law" forbidding stealing, yet keep the spirit of the law while committing theft.
The law of God is a lamp and light to guide us as God would have us walk, and we must use it just as He has given it. Never use someone else's lamp to light your path through life. And never stop seeking the light which is only found in the Word of God, the Bible.
The scribes and Pharisees were bad examples because they expected more of others than they did of themselves. They set heavy burdens on others, yet they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
The burden of the religious leaders contrasts sharply to Jesus' burden. His burden is light, and His yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30). These religious leaders were burden bringers; Jesus was a burden taker.
It is very sad that these individuals, who consider themselves to be better than another of God's children (even though, they know in their hearts that they were also forgiven of their sins of the past, and received God's Grace and still sin) and that these people would find it necessary to judge another, in some vain attempt to appear to uplift themselves.
The problem is ... Their view makes the Cross, of no effect.
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