OLD TESTAMENT ARTICLE

A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE

"Obey the ten commandments and offer sacrifices, such was the Old Law" HARDLY!! From our reading this week (especially Exodus 21-23) we learned the Law given to the Israelites encompassed every facet of their life. No wonder God became so angry with them and sent men like Isaiah, Amos and Micah to warn them of the vanity of their offerings, (Isaiah 1:11-17; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8). Let us not think God's law for spiritual Israel is any different from His law for physical Israel. There's far more to God's requirements of us than making all the appointed assemblies and performing the "five acts of worship."

The old law was far more than a list of do's and don'ts. In back of every law was a principle God was trying to teach His people. Consider a few examples:

1. Exodus 21:15, 17. Recently on one of our many talk shows the topic of discussion was parents who are afraid of their teenagers. This is typical of our society. However, God said if a child strikes or curses his parents, put him to death. RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY!!

2. Exodus 21:8-11. It may be hard for us to understand everything about this situation, but one thing is certain, if you enter into an agreement and things change, you honor your word no matter how inconvenient or costly. RESPONSIBILITY!!

3. Exodus 22:21-27. "I have my rights." This phrase is all too often used by those as authority for treading on the rights of others. God established it so that no one ever had the right to run roughshod over their fellow man. SYMPATHY!!

4. Exodus 23:1, 7-8. Jay Leno recently bought the rights to another comedian's story. The story was actually an event experienced by this particular comedian. Jay Leno wanted the rights to use and tell it as his own. God said tell the truth and stay away from falsehood. TRUTHFULNESS!!

While the new law seems to deal more with principles, it can hardly be said that the old law was completely devoid of any.

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NEW TESTAMENT ARTICLE

THE SELFLESS JESUS

Luke 22-23

Surely Jesus' giving of His life as a ransom for many will always stand as the greatest act of selflessness He or anyone has ever performed. Yet those who are truly selfless are not characterized as such by virtue of one single act but of a lifetime of selflessness. Therefore, it is interesting to note, especially in this section of scripture, the other examples of our Lord's selflessness.

On the eve of His betrayal, Jesus is seen in the garden of Gethsemane praying to the Father. However, before Jesus ever began His prayer He was concerned about His disciples and He tells them to, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." (Luke 22:39) How extraordinary! The night of His greatest temptation, the eve upon which His sufferings will begin Jesus is not so self-absorbed with His own trials and temptations that He is oblivious to others and their temptations.

Next we see Jesus walking to Golgotha. On the way are women mourning for Him but Jesus turns to them and exclaims, "...do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves," (Luke 23:28) Amazing! Jesus, suffering incredible pain because of His recent scourging, instead of welcoming this mourning discourages it and says if you must mourn, do it for yourselves.

Jesus finally makes it to Calvary where He is nailed to a cross. The crowd, rulers, and soldiers are all mocking and hurling insults at Him. Jesus looking down upon this scene prays for their forgiveness, (Luke 23:34). Incredible! Jesus in agony beyond belief looks down upon those who have placed Him there and prays for them.