Devotionals

Loves Triumphs Over Law

by Jennifer Woodley 
06/19/19
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‘But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”’ Luke 6:2 (NRSV).

If the law hinders us from showing mercy and compassion in the same generous way that God reveals these Kingdom values to us, it is a law worth disregarding. Mercy and compassion ought to triumph over rules and regulations every time.

The Pharisees were not interested in what really counts, that is, faith being expressed through love. However, Jesus’ words of rebuke to them put a stop to laws that bind up His commands to express Christian virtues. The Son of Man is no slave to rules and laws. He is not limited by the words ‘do’ and ‘do not’. Words that keep people safe, secure, self-satisfied and full of religious pride. God’s people need not be weighed down by the burden of these laws either.

When we exercise mercy and compassion first, when this is our first response, we will experience the overwhelming freedom and joy that the law can never offer. Today it’s worth considering where we are bound by either religious or cultural laws that hinder our obedience to Christ. Where do we believe we must worship a certain way or blindly follow politically correct codes of conduct that stifle us from expressing Christ’s teachings to love others as He loves us?

In Scripture we learn that obedience to Christ is offence to others. Are we prepared to take that risk to see love triumph over law?

‘Father, I want to be an expression of your love wherever you lead me today. Give me courage when I face opposition and criticism from others. Thank you.’