Re: When help is required ...
Hi Blackjubba
I have been itching to reply to your post all day. Finally, I am at home and can do so at my leisure.
therebbe said:
What the Rabbi's were angry at Jesus for was his complete negation of the Sabbath in all circumstances.
I am sorry to inform you that you are wrong. It was not Jesus who said it was not necessary, but Paul.
Can you tell me where Paul stated that the Jewish laws were not necessary? It's just that I cannot think of any specific passages referring to that.
Although Paul claimed to have been taught by Jesus, Jesus himself said that the Law would be in effect until Heaven & Earth pass away (as in the book of Revelations) and that has not happend yet. You can refer to the Book of Matthew 5:17 for the quote.
When you look at Jesus' actions throughout his mission years, he
clearly broke certain laws!
He broke the Sabbath laws by allowing his disciples to pick grain for their own consumption, by healing the sick, and by encouraging a healed man to carry his mat home.
He broke the dietary laws (according to Christian understanding), when he said
"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'" (Matthew 15:11)
Yet you are right that Jesus said
"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. I tell you the truth, 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. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same 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. " (Matthew 5:17-20)
So what about that discrepancy???
Does he or doesn't he abolish the laws???
If you read further in Matthew 5, you will find that Jesus
imposes greater commandments on humans than the old laws:
"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
He talks about it not being enough to not commit adultery,
but not even to think any such thoughts!
Not enough to not kill somebody,
but to not even think angry thoughts about them!
Not enough to demand repayment in kind when a wrong has been committed (an eye for an eye),
but instead to turn the other cheek!
Do Christians follow these laws??? - I don't think so!
Why not?? - Because that would be almost humanly impossible!
We cannot fulfill the laws to such an extend - but we can work towards that goal.
I believe what Jesus was saying was that rather than plodding through life, obeying the laws God gave us, we need to look deeper!
Not just look to 'be good' according to the law, but to seek to cleansing ourselves in our hearts of hearts!
It is not enough to look good and holy and religious on the outside ... unless we strive to be all those things on the inside too.
To me that is one of the most important messages of Jesus Christ, and one that speaks very much to my heart. :statisfie
And boy, am I glad I finally wrote this post ... I have been pondering it all day!:rollseyes
Sorry for any rambling. :giggling:
peace.