The Law, Pharisees, and Jesus

2019-11-11

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The Law, Pharisees, and Jesus In this insightful Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, likely delivered by Matthew Vander Els, the complex relationship between the Torah (the Law), the Pharisees, and Jesus is explored. The speaker emphasizes that understanding the true purpose and application of the Torah is crucial for believers today. The teaching delves into the historical context of the Law's giving, its intended function for the people of Israel, and how Jesus, through his life and teachings, revealed a...

In this insightful Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, likely delivered by Matthew Vander Els, the complex relationship between the Torah (the Law), the Pharisees, and Jesus is explored. The speaker emphasizes that understanding the true purpose and application of the Torah is crucial for believers today. The teaching delves into the historical context of the Law's giving, its intended function for the people of Israel, and how Jesus, through his life and teachings, revealed a deeper and more transformative way to engage with it.

The Purpose of the Torah

The teaching begins by highlighting that the Torah was given to Israel with a specific and profound purpose. It was intended to equip them to be a kingdom of people mediating God's kingdom on earth, acting as a bridge between heaven and earth. Furthermore, the Torah was meant to foster their development into a kingdom of priests and a light to all nations. In essence, it was a divine blessing designed to provide wisdom and direction for navigating the world according to God's will.

However, the speaker notes that despite its benevolent origin, the Torah, due to the condition of human hearts, paradoxically ended up enslaving Israel. Drawing on the Apostle Paul's perspective, it's likened to a powerful but dangerous tool that can harm if wielded improperly. Because of their inability to fully embrace its spirit, Israel faced exile, lamenting their state. It was in this context that God promised a coming king with the heart they needed, who would usher in a new kingdom revitalizing humanity to fulfill their role as God's image bearers.

The Torah was intended to provide wisdom, guiding humanity in the knowledge of good and evil within the framework of God's direction. Without this divine wisdom, the very pursuit of knowledge of good and evil can become distorted, leading to the manipulation of these concepts, as seen in the society described by the Prophet Amos. The speaker laments the widespread misunderstanding of the Torah among believers, where some dismiss it entirely.

The Torah as a Blessing, Not a Burden

The teaching strongly emphasizes that Christian scholarship largely views the Torah as a blessing and not something that has been done away with. Fundamental commandments like "do not steal," "do not commit adultery," and "love your neighbor as yourself" are self-evidently vital and not obsolete. The issue, according to the speaker, lies not with the Torah itself, which is considered perfect, but with the hearts of humanity. Interestingly, it's pointed out that most Christians, whether consciously or not, still observe a significant portion of the Torah, perhaps more than they realize or would readily admit. The primary distinctions between Messianic believers and other Christians often boil down to a few key practices such as Sabbath observance, keeping kosher dietary laws, and possibly the wearing of tzitzit (tassels).

A crucial point is made against viewing the Torah as merely a "divine checklist" for earning salvation. The speaker argues that the power of a commandment is directly tied to the result it produces. If obeying a commandment does not lead to a growing heart filled with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, then the obedience is ultimately self-deceptive. The Torah, in itself, was acknowledged by Moses as insufficient to fully transform Israel into the kingdom of God's presence on earth. Something more, something better, was needed to equip the Torah to fulfill its intended purpose within individuals.

The Role of the Spirit and Jesus

That "something better" is identified as a heart freed from the world's shackles and solely focused on God's kingdom, a transformation brought about by the Spirit of God. Drawing on Paul's words in Romans 8:3, the speaker explains that the righteous requirement of the Torah might be fulfilled in us, not by our own strength, but by walking according to the Spirit. This echoes the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:26, where God promises to give a new heart and a new spirit, removing the heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh, enabling obedience to His statutes.

The arrival of Jesus (Yeshua) is presented as God's answer to this need. Through his condemnation of sin in his own flesh, Jesus broke the chains of bondage, bringing about a greater exodus, not just from physical slavery like in Egypt, but from sin and death. This new exodus culminates in the gift of a new heart, as prophesied by Jeremiah, where the Torah would be engraved not on stone tablets but on the flesh of our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). This indwelling of God's Spirit empowers believers to walk out the purpose of the Torah, becoming people who embody God's presence, peace, justice, and love in the world. Therefore, the Law is not done away with but can be truly lived out through the empowering presence of the Spirit in Christ. However, wisdom from the Torah can lead to folly if not embraced through God's grace in Jesus.

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Practical Application for Everyday Life

Prioritize love and compassion: Let love for God and neighbor be the driving force behind your actions, reflecting God's kingdom in the world.
Focus on inward transformation: Seek a heart change through the Spirit, allowing the Torah to be written on your heart rather than just followed externally.
Practice genuine forgiveness: Extend forgiveness to others, letting go of grudges and resentment.
Resist superficial religiosity: Avoid performing religious acts merely to be seen by others; let your devotion be genuine and heart-driven.
Embrace the weightier matters: Focus on justice, mercy, and faithfulness in your interactions and in the world around you.
Care for the vulnerable: Show love and practical support to orphans, widows, and others in need, recognizing this as a core aspect of God's heart and the Torah.
Use your gifts and talents for God's kingdom: Invest your energy, skills, and resources in ways that glorify God and serve others.
Be a light to the world: Let your life reflect God's love and truth, resisting conformity to worldly values.
Examine your motives: Ensure that your religious practices stem from a heart of love and a desire to honor God, not from a desire for personal gain or recognition.
Embrace God's grace: Recognize that fulfilling the Torah is not about human effort alone but requires God's grace and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.
Be bold in your faith: Live out your calling with courage and conviction, even when it's challenging or goes against the grain.