14th March 2012 Matthew 5:17-19

The Fulfillment of the Law
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Suddenly there's a bit of confusion between these words and other speeches Jesus made and much of what Paul wrote.  It is said elsewhere that the law is less important than the life, that the symbols of faith less important than the faith itself.  Yet here it is clear that the law remains key.  So how do we hold these apparent contradictions together?

I have done a bit of reading of my commentaries and a bit of thinking and praying and it seems to me that it comes down to how we hold and live the law.

We are not meant to worship the law or hold it as God itself; that is elevating it too high.  We are instead called to follow the law as we follow Jesus' calling on our lives given for God.  

It is the balance of the two that so often comes into debate in decisions such as women bishops and gay marriage; it is hearing Jesus' words to us today through the law that we must attain.

Jesus we strive to follow and law and follow you, guide us and lead us through the fog of uncertainty.  Amen