It has been a long, full day, Father, and my mind is fuzzy and my body is weary but I must push on! It is of utmost importance that I sit with You and listen to what You have for me this day. Help me to hear You clearly. Amen.

Mark 2:18-21 (<<click to read the passage)

Growing up I remember on occasion that my mom had to patch my pants where I had worn out the knees crawling around playing and doing the things that boys do. At one point iron on patches even became available. In order for it to work, you couldn’t patch an old article of clothing with new cloth because when you washed it the new cloth would shrink then you’d have a new hole!

Religious leaders in Jesus’ day had added all kinds of patches to the Law that God had given them. I understand that to some degree they were trying to preserve what was very important but over time they lost what was truly important and ended up putting equal value on the patches as well.

For example, the act of fasting (essentially giving up food – or something else – for a period of time in order to focus your thoughts on God) is found in both Old and New Testaments. But the Pharisees over time began fasting two times a week – but the rub comes in that it was not to focus their thoughts on God but to focus other people’s thoughts on how holy they were.

Jesus didn’t come to patch. Jesus came to fulfill the Law in its entirety. It was fresh and new because it was the real deal! It was from the original author Himself! It was authentic! It wasn’t just rules and regulations it was livable – challenging, yes – but livable. And most importantly it went straight to the heart of the issue.

Again, another example…we would agree that murder is bad. But Jesus fleshed it out, putting hatred on an equal level. Murder is bad but if we hate someone it’s just as bad as killing them. Adultery is bad. But lusting after someone in our hearts and minds is the same thing according to Him. (Matthew 5:21-30)

A New Covenant – the real deal was needed. Too many manmade patches on the old one. New. Fresh. Authentic. Real.

Lord Jesus, help us to throw out the old man-tainted Law – if that’s what we are clinging to. May we embrace the genuine article from the Author Himself! Amen.

Feb 5th, 2019, Tues, 7:28 pm