January 24, 2022: Day 18 – Exodus 19-21 and Matthew 5-7

We find ourselves in the midst of God giving His people the law both in our Old Testament and in our New Testament readings.  Moses in chapter 19 hears God’s word and prepares the people for the reception of the commandments which then come in chapter 20.  Every year for the pre-K class in our preschool I teach the children to learn the 10 Commandments by heart.  We use a much shortened version than what is here, for example: there is only one God, no idols, say nice things, obey the Sabbath, love your mom and dad etc.  Every year they are able to memorize it and they get a prize for it.  

Chapter 21 is an extension of even more commandments.  Did you know that by the time that Jesus was walking on the earth in the first century there were hundreds of laws that had to be followed which were contained in what was called the Mishnah.  These laws were interpretations of the Scriptural laws and covered absolutely everything.  It was the attempt of the religious people to ensure that there was nothing grey, but rather that every little thing would be covered by a law of God.

This is why in Matthew Jesus says that he has not come to tear down the law but to fulfill it because so many other laws had been added to God’s law that people felt absolutely in prison as they lived their lives.  Jesus beatitudes in Matthew 5-7 really encapsulate the way of life according to Jesus’ perspective.  It ought to be followed completely.  But if you really want to know the entirety of the law you can find it very simply in Matthew 22:36-40 where Jesus is asked what is the greatest commandments and he replies: “Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.  All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.  Those are Jesus’ words.  We should follow them