THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Matthew 5:17-19 and beyond

When Jesus talks about keeping the law he is not talking about a legalistic approach, a literal keeping of the law, he is talking about the spirit of the law. He came not to abolish laws but to open our eyes to the real meaning contained in all that God had ever commanded of his people through Moses and the prophets. If we read beyond today’s reading of Matthew’s gospel we might understand more clearly what Jesus is talking about. We find him giving examples of living the spirit of God’s laws.

“You have heard the commandment imposed on your forefathers, ‘You shall not commit murder; every murderer shall be liable to judgment.’ What I say to you is: Everyone who grows angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; any man who uses abusive language toward his brother shall be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and if he holds him in contempt he risks the fires of Gehenna.”

Jesus takes one old law at a time and dissects it. He exposes the core, the heart, the spirit of each law. He wants us to see there is more in God’s commandments than meets the eye. He talks about adultery, oaths, retaliation, fasting, riches, and more. Keeping the spirit of the law gets to the very essence of the purity and goodness of God, while the letter only touches the surface. If we consider the spirit of the first law, the law of love of God and neighbor, before we make any decision or perform any action, we will be approaching the likeness of Christ.

“Unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees,” Jesus told the people, “you shall not enter the kingdom of God.” The scribes and Pharisees followed the letter of the law, we are to follow the spirit. Pray for the wisdom and guidance needed to discover it, then the courage to do it.