This is a painting by Gerrit van Honthorst (1590-1656) entitled “Christ before Caiphas”.  The religious authorities are out to catch Jesus in doing something “against the law”, and this takes place before his crucifixion.

Our question for today is from Luke 14:3, a different scene, but still Jesus is with the lawyers and Pharisees who were watching him carefully.  Jesus had just healed a man on the Sabbath, the day of rest when the religious rulers proclaimed that no “work” was to be done.  Jesus asks the question of them before they can ask it of him.  “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”.  They kept silent.  (Good question Jesus!). He goes on to put it into perspective…”Who wouldn’t try to get their ox or a son out of a well if it had fallen into it on the Sabbath?” The question then for us might be, is every “religious law” meant to be kept?

This drawing done in the 17th c. by Rembrandt portrays the piety that was present in many of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day.  We must put ourselves in this story as listeners of the question Jesus asks, “Is it lawful?”  When do the laws need to change?  What is our attitude in abiding by certain laws, or ensuring that others do or don’t keep the law?

I remember as a child that my church did not allow children to receive Holy Communion before they were confirmed.  One Sunday when communion came around I had not yet been confirmed, yet my heart felt compelled to take this meal and I wanted it!  My head said, “Why not?”  SO…I took it, even though I was not supposed to!  ( I know…those of you who know me are not surprised).  Now the question might be, “Can children be refused grace because they do not yet fully understand?”  Or, “Do all of us as children of God come to understand more fully in the process of receiving grace?”

This is my grandson wearing his new bow tie in the church building on Easter Sunday surrounded by the people of God.  He seems to be asking the question “Is it lawful?”.  This is Easter, a special religious day, and he wants to do it right!  I don’t know exactly what “IT” is, but I think we must first ask ourselves where does love enter the picture?  Is it about the law, or is it about love? What will the children most learn by our reaction?

Pondering…

When has your understanding changed in regard to how you thought something SHOULD be?

Let’s ask Jesus to open our eyes to more love in this Lenten Journey.

nk