Law or Love?

Luke 5:17 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.
 
PHARISEES came from all over Israel to hear Jesus! He surely taught many things. And he even healed. Do ou think the teachers were impressed?
    It is likely the teachers criticized, even condemned Jesus’ gracious work because Jesus knew their hearts: “Beware the teachers of the law.” (Luke 20:46a), Jesus warned, condemning their prideful behavior and severe taxes even on widows. And, of course, the Pharisees were among those who conspired to kill Jesus. The Pharisees had lost their original mission to protect the Lord’s law in Israel.
    The office of Pharisee was formed during the 400 years between the Old Testament and Jesus’ ministry. Israel was continually under foreign rule. Some were very evil men who even desecrated God’s temple in Jerusalem. They enslaved the Jews both physically and morally with their evil political and religious practices.
    In response, the Jews sought ways to keep God’s law and his knowledge alive, separated from the evil invaders. In fact, “Pharisee” means to separate oneself from anything that is not of God’s law. Thus, Pharisees wrapped themselves in God’s commands to protect themselves and the Jews from the enemy. The Pharisees were formed with the same just cause that Scripture teaches us today: 1 Peter 1:14-15 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.  
    But then, as our sin nature is prone to do, the Pharisees added their own laws to God’s laws. Religious restrictions grew as each generation wanted to make their mark on the Jews’ behavior. God’s grace was no longer evident among the Jews.
    To counter that legalism, Jesus stressed the greatest command is to “Love the Lord your God.” (Matthew 22:37) With love, God gave the law as a means of protecting, not imprisoning his people.
    As we look back and judge the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, we must consider two questions: First, ask yourself, “Do I separate myself from evil”
    Second, we must ask ourselves, “Is there any way I put religious restrictions above God’s grace and love?” The answer to both questions requires a loving study of God’s gracious words to know his true answers.
 
Prayer: Help me, Spirit, to know the difference between man-made rules and your remarkable truth that points to your love. In the Spirit’s power I pray. Amen.