The more I read Jesus’ teachings, and the more I study about the history of Israel the more I come to the conclusion that we need to learn to avoid the pitfalls on either side of the road. Most of Israelite history is littered with examples of “liberalism.” They decided that God’s laws weren’t meant to followed to the letter, so they could be discarded. Then, by the time Jesus came around some of Israel had swung the other way…probably in response to their history. The Pharisees rose up and demanded strict, legalistic observance of the law.

Shouldn’t we learn from Israel? But typically Christians think that it is an either/or scenario…either we are legalistic or we are liberalistic. But, Israel should teach us that the middle ground is best…observance of God’s laws as an expression of our love, and a view of God’s laws that sees them as his blessings for us. He is telling us how to live better. The Sabbath was made for man, as Jesus put it. That means we can’t liberally discard them, but it also means we can’t legalistically observe or bind them.

Anyway…I will quit preaching. Glad you are back.