A Covenant For All People

Last week we began our exploration of Sabbath in Genesis.  If you missed that part of the conversation you can find it here.  This week let’s begin in Matthew.  

Matthew 5:17-20

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.  For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I say to you that unless your righteousness, surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

The Law and the Prophets Jesus is talking about is the Old Testament.  Sometimes we talk about the Old Testament as if it doesn’t matter, or as if the promises held within it are outdated or unimportant.  Jesus tells us the opposite is true.  He lets us know he did not come to abolish all that is held within the Old Testament, but rather he came to fulfill it.  And not just some of it, but every detail, until the day when all of it is accomplished.  

This is fundamental to our formation and understanding of Jesus.  He did not show up on the scene to replace the covenants previously made with the Jewish people.  Jesus showed up to fulfill all of the promises God had made with Israel.  To once and for all be the atoning sacrifice for God’s people.  In coming, Jesus wasn’t saying stop being Jewish and start a new religion.  He was saying I am the fulfillment of what you have been waiting for.  I am the one that every festival has pointed towards.  I am the one that is the hope of all nations.  I am the one who can shoulder the burden of sacrifice.  I am your high priest.  The one who advocates for you.  The one who makes sacrifices on your behalf.  

The covenant with Jesus is new, yes.  But not because it replaces the previous covenants.  Rather, it is new because Jesus says to all of Israel I am the Messiah you have been expecting, and he says to every other nation that the covenant that God has had with Israel is now also available to them.  Every person.  Every nation.  Every tribe.  Every tongue.  All are invited into this covenant to be the people of God.  All are welcome.  This is good news! 

In the passage we read from Matthew, Jesus says that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees we can’t enter the kingdom of heaven.  This seems like an odd statement.  But I think what he is saying is that we can never do enough in our own strength or through our own righteousness.  God always knew we would need Jesus, the perfect high priest.  In following Jesus we surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees because in Jesus we stand fully righteous before God.  

Matthew 22:34-40

But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they gathered themselves together.  One of them a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him.  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it.  ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”  

The 10 commandments all fit into these two categories - Love God and Love People.  I believe that although we find daily rest in Jesus, as we abide in him, we are also still awaiting the day of his return.  And while we wait we can practice dwelling with God by setting aside our work and enjoying Sabbath rest with our families, friends, and neighbors.  

The work of the cross is finished.  Just as we talked about last time, the commandments were not meant to be the rescuer.  God already did the rescuing.  The commandments were meant to help God's people live lives that looked different from those who don't worship God.  Sabbath is an invitation to create sacred space week in and week out that helps us to slow down and to refocus our heart, soul, and mind on our good Father.  

I don't know about you, but I need help learning to practice Sabbath.  We’ll talk more next week about how this might look different in different homes.  

~  Melissa