The law and “The law”

“Because I said so.” Growing up I heard this, not often, but it made an impression. This is exactly what Jesus is referring to in today’s gospel concerning the scribes and the pharisees. “…do and observe all things whatsoever they (scribes and pharisees) tell you, but do not follow their example.  For they preach but they do not practice. “They (scribes and pharisees) tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders ,…” but they do not “yoke up” as does Jesus. (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus helps us carry our burdens.  How could these leaders, teachers of the community, live in conflict with their own teachings, their law? What are we, 21st century followers and believers in Jesus to make of this? Jesus was a Jew, their law was the law Jesus grew up with. He knew the law, the rules and regulations governing most everything in their lives.

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish, but to fulfill.”  Jesus himself gives clarity to the Jewish law – not legalistically, but in how he lived and treated others. Jesus fulfilled the law.  Jesus’ law of love did not “tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders;...” (Matthew 23:4). Rather Jesus said, “Learn from me…“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens…for my yoke is easy and my burden light…I am gentle and humble of heart…”

Jesus knew and respected the Torah. However, he lived the essence of the law, not the legalism of it. Jesus is the incarnation of the law of Love, not the incarnation of legalistic rules and regulations.  We see Jesus breaking and circumventing the written law on many occasions:  curing the sick on the sabbath.  Jesus allowed, encouraged his disciples who were hungry to pick and eat grain on the Sabbath. Jesus socialized, ate with the sinner, the outcast.  He treated women with respect. He welcomed, included the refugee and the foreigner. He touched, put his hands on the sick and dying.   All forbidden or at least discouraged by Jewish law. This was not easy for the Jewish community or for Jesus’ followers to embrace.  They were challenged by Jesus’ words and actions.

To a greater or lesser degree, we all appreciate rules.  Children need the security of some restrictions, discipline, but also the security of love.  Both make them feel safe, protected and cared for. We adults also seek and appreciate some legalism in our lives – mostly the laws we make for ourselves and would prefer that others also appreciate and attend.  How am I called, invited to be with, to approach, to feed and welcome the refugee, the foreigner, men and women of color, the divorced, LGBTQ community? What, if any, universal laws and regulations are there?  What are the rules and regulations of our country, of my community, my faith community? What is the law of the gospels? The law of love. 

As Mark Twain said: “It aint the parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother (challenge) me, it’s the parts that I do understand.”

What in scripture bothers me?  How do I confront the challenge?

Me?  Almost daily, I am challenged by some aspect of the law of Love. However, I know from personal experience that Jesus will always walk with and help me carry my burdens. “…come to me all you are weary and carrying heavy burdens…”