For Every Rule, There Are Always Exceptions

Jesus was not breaking any of the Old Testament commandments. In the eyes of the Jews, especially the synagogue leader, Jesus broke the commandments and rules they had set to make certain that they did not break any of the commandments, especially the one about keeping the Sabbath holy. These laws allowed the Pharisees to avoid love’s obligations. Jesus argued that people’s needs are more important that rules and regulations. We are encouraged to take time to help others, even if it means compromising our public image.

In the eyes of the Jews, Jesus was a radical. What he was saying and doing went against their rules and traditions-rules and traditions that they used to hide themselves from the true meaning of God’s laws and love. Jesus was arguing against the status quo. He was trying to upset the routines that the Jews enjoyed. The Jews were in a rut, and Jesus was trying to push them out of the rut toward a loving relationship with God.

We are the same way. Sometimes we get very comfortable with our lives and we don’t want to change. It’s like wearing a comfortable pair of shoes-IT JUST FEELS SO GOOD! We often don’t want change or like change because we like things the way they are. Change can be hard no matter what the change is-even if it is as simple as buying a new car. It takes time for the buyer to adjust to the locations of the gauges, levers and buttons on the new car. Change can be painful, but sometimes it is necessary. Our own parish is a good example. The amalgamation of our former parishes and the resulting changes that were necessary were painful for some, but they were necessary for us to survive as a part of God’s family.

The Jews confused their rules with true worship. We are the same. We often feel that we can’t worship God unless we obey the liturgy to the letter or use the liturgy from the Book of Alternative Services or the liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer. In our Gospel reading, the synagogue leader appears to have confused religion with Christianity. I’m sure most of you have heard of the late Pastor Perry F. Rockwood or have heard the radio programs “Prophecy for Today” or “The People’s Gospel Hour”. Now I personally disagree with most of what he says, but I do agree with one comment that ne made during one program. He said, “Religion is man’s attempt to reach God. Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man”.

By concentrating on religion and the laws, the Jews lost the ability to reach God. God had to reach man by coming to earth in the form of Jesus Christ. He emphasized that in order to have a relationship with God only two rules had to be obeyed-love God and love people. We are called upon to obey the same two laws if we want to have a relationship with God. We will have restored our relationship with God if we love people, and show it by doing things in faith such as comforting the less fortunate (even on the Sabbath. By doing these holy things, we will be obeying the commandment to “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”.