THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW

 

 

The ongoing debate among the 'Israelite-aware' over the Law brings to mind a parable of great wisdom I often share:

 

One Tuesday afternoon, a certain wise man was taking his customary daily walk, and as usual, came upon the local swimming pool. As he was strolling by, he heard the sound of a young man crying out for help. As he turned to look, he saw that the man was drowning. But at the same time he also saw the familiar sign that read, "No Swimming on Tuesdays."

 

It being a Tuesday, he was faced with a real dilemma. He immediately realized there were only two courses of action he could take. Either he could obey the sign and let the man drown, or he could violate the law and save him. Now being a man of wisdom, he knew that even though the letter of the law said "No Swimming on Tuesdays," the spirit of the law added, "...under ordinary circumstances." In other words, no recreational swimming on Tuesdays...

 

So he quickly jumped into the pool - "violating" the rule himself - and saved the drowning man's life.

 

The wise man understood that the sign was directed toward the lawless - to those who would dare to go swimming while the pool is officially closed! He knew the rule was never intended for one who would reach out to save his brother from peril; even if that brother's own violation of the law is what imperiled him...

 

Brothers, the law is a sure guide; but it must be understood and fulfilled in LOVE - not with justice only; but with mercy and humility as well! We must never be so zealous of the law that we seek to keep it to the perishing of those for whom Messiah died. Is this not what the apostle Paul, as Sha'ul of Tarsus, was guilty of?

 

We must finally advance, O Yisrael, to the HIGHER spiritual ground Paul eventually came to occupy; remembering, as he wrote to the Corinthians, that "Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (1 Cor. 13:8-10).

 

And of course, we must ultimately turn to the One who is the Word for the final Word.

 

When asked which is the great commandment in the law, Y'shua (Yah'shua) Himself said "You shall love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt. 23:37-40).

 

He also gave us a new law - a third Great Commandment if you will, that establishes the first two - saying, "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." (John 13:34-35).

 

As it is written, "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2).

 

We must begin to keep THESE laws as the greatest of ALL law, just as He does; bearing in mind this one thing - "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (Matt. !5:13). This is the real sum and substance of the law.

 

Behold; when Y'shua was rebuked by the religious establishment of His day for allowing His disciples to pluck ears of corn on Shabbat, His bold and revolutionary response was, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of YAH, and did eat the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

 

Or have you not read in the law how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are blameless?" (Matt. 12:3-5). Sélah.

 

These are the words of the Messiah Himself. In truth, the very manner of words that led to His rejection, condemnation and crucifixion! Brethren, let us also partake of these same sufferings; that when His GLORY shall appear, we shall not be ashamed, but be glad even as He shall be, with exceeding joy!

 

Beloved Mishpacah; it is written "YAH is love" - not "YAH is law." The law was made for love - love was not made for the law! And while surely we must walk in the Spirit of the law, we must never place the law of YAH above the love of YAH!

 

And above ALL, let our Father YAH, and Y'shua our Mashiach be loved - and praised forevermore! HalleluYAH! YBY

May the grace and mercy of YAH be with you. Ahmein & Amen.