October 29 - Religion or Relationship?

 Read today’s texts first: Job 20; Mark 3,4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Rather than just abiding by the letter of the law,
let the Spirit of the law abide in you!

Sometimes we miss the relational nature of God when we read the Old Testament. Before Immanuel, “God with us,” He seemed like the “God out there.” Job felt that distance. He lacked a sense of God’s abiding presence, and for good reason.  It’s understandable how religious leaders from the time B.C., Before Christ, may have thought God cared more about rules, regulations and rituals than He did about relationship. That may have been one of the reasons they did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.

At times, He seemed to minimize the Law they loved. Our readings in Mark, segued from yesterday over the issue of the Sabbath. After reminding them that the Sabbath was made for man and not the other way around (2:27), Jesus watched their reaction as He healed the man with the withered arm on, gasp, the Sabbath. He was grieved, actually angry, that they still missed the point - they cared more about the letter of the Law than the Spirit behind it.

My Mom and Dad taught me this so well. Any rules they had for me were for my good, for my protection, because they loved me so much. When I had to be disciplined, it was their love for me that left a greater impression than the bruise on my derrière. Jesus lived in such a way that there was no mistaking the heart of God. He loved everyone, especially those who thought they were outside of God’s circle of love. Then He taught us that all the OT laws can be summed up in two: love God and love each other (Matthew 22:36-40).

“Lord, not only do I see and experience legalism in the church, I see it at times in my own heart. Fill me with Your Spirit, the Spirit behind the law, so I can care more about the things You do and the people You love.”