When we see a stop sign while driving, attentive drivers will stop, look both ways for oncoming traffic, then proceed if clear.  If it is four way stop, kind, attentive drivers know that the one who got there first is the one who proceeds.  As mature drivers, we generally don’t think about why we had to stop, we just stop. 

When we come to the currently popular traffic circles, being built in our area, we now are questioning why.  We want to know the purpose of this new traffic procedure that has a majority of the population confused.  They are trying to do the right thing without being taught how to navigate the circle nor do they know the purpose of this new flow of traffic.

Confusion is predominant among the people about God’s Law, designed and created by God to be in relationship with Him and guides them to right behaviors that will be for their best in life on earth.  The religious leaders put God’s purpose aside and now use the Law for their gain.  They don’t even ask why anymore.  It’s all about their notoriety, power and position.  The religious elite have added on many man-made addendums to God’s Law, along with great punishments, that have brought great burden to His people.  God’s people are confused because of the behavior of their leaders who lord over them.  They are not allowed to ask why.

Jesus, God’s Son, has come to help them understand God’s original intent and purpose for The Law with a new understanding for what God requires of us to live as part of the Kingdom of God.  We must rise above what leaders tell you, is Jesus’ warning to all people.  Isn’t that the way it is today?  God has given us His Word, Jesus’ example to follow with the power of His Holy Spirit living in all who believe and follow Him in relationship.  We must follow Jesus to be in relationship with God.

We discover in our reading, with the Holy Spirit’s guiding, the Law’s ultimate purpose:  Relationship with God, Our Father, through Jesus Christ, His Son.  Jesus fulfills God’s purpose.

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 5:17-20, NLT

Teaching about the Law

¹⁷ “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. ¹⁸ I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. ¹⁹ So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

²⁰ “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

There is a song about what we make of our worship to God that is playing in the background of my mind.  Worship has a lot to do with our true relationship with God. It seems we humans can be dangerous with a little knowledge and even prideful in what little we know that is said to others.  Worship is one example.  Sometimes we lead people to be like us in worship instead of pointing them to Jesus to worship.

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You,
It’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You,
It’s all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours

Every single breath
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking deep in my heart…

The Heart of Worship by Matt Redman broke me down the first time I heard it and will always bring me back to the purpose God originally intended for us—a right, growing, intimate relationship with Him alone.  Jesus provided the Way back to God.  Thank you, dear Jesus.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

You made me. You know me.  You know my faults, mistakes, sins, and sometimes distracted attention from you, yet you forgive from a place of unconditional love for me and bring back to where you are all because you want a relationship with me.  Wow!  I cannot thank and praise you enough for all you have done for me and all you are to me.  Thank you for continuing to love and guide me through this brief journey called life on earth until we meet face to face in all your glory.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I get it.

In Jesus Name, Amen