The Better Way

~~~ Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 ~~~ Psalm 147 ~~~ Matthew 5:17-19 ~~~

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

The laws were necessary for many different reasons
such as better health or community orderliness.
but with Jesus comes so much more

Sometimes laws continue to be kept on the books
 because it is the way things have always been done.
In all institutions rules and laws eventually are changed...
people change...circumstances change.

Jesus came to show us a better way.
He came to bring us something more
 than keeping all of the old laws.

Jesus brought us the beauty of love.
Jesus brought us the freedom of forgiveness.
Jesus brought us the gift of mercy.

Jesus gives us wisdom straight from the heart of God.

 ...what great nation is there
that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, 
is to us whenever we call upon him?

If we want to grow in holiness we must draw
from the depths of what Jesus teaches us.

You can perform all of the rituals.
You can keep all of the laws to the letter.
You can do all of these things, but
if you do not have love, forgiveness, and mercy
you are failing miserably
in the way of the Lord.

There is no God as great as our God.
No other god can compare
 to his goodness and faithfulness.

No one could make the law more than
 it was written to be except Jesus.
Jesus found the meaning within the written words
 that no one would have suspected existed.

Jesus peeled open the laws
 and gave us food for our life.

Blessed to have Jesus on our side.

~~~Peace~~~