THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW

John 7:14-24
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple

14 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. 15 The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.

16 So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. 18 Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. 19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.”

20 The crowd replied, “You’re demon possessed! Who’s trying to kill you?”

21 Jesus replied, “I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed. 22 But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses’ law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.) 23 For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? 24 Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”


What is this Jesus is teaching? Is it OK to break the law … to violate the commandments? I think not.

Jesus is saying to us that there is the letter of the law. “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.” There is also, “… beneath the surface…”, the spirit of the law. Does doing a good work, a necessary work in any way violate the holiness of the day of worship? Circumcision in fact was an act of worship. In like manner, is there anything unholy about praying for the sick, anointing them with oil or laying hands on them? All these are acts found in scripture related to healing ministry.

Jesus is teaching us to keep focused on that which is holy … that which is spiritual, as we live out the letter of the law.