John 2:18-22

After forcefully chasing the money changers and sellers of sacrificial animals out of the Temple, Jesus was asked by the “Keepers of the Law” by what authority or sign he had done this. Jesus’ answer, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it,” baffled both the Temple authorities and his disciples. After his resurrection, Jesus’ disciples understood these words as referring to the temple of his body. Neither the “Keepers of the Law” nor the disciples recognized these words of Jesus as the beginning of the end of religion as they knew it. Gradually the church realized the Temple, Sabbath keeping, circumcision, and laws about sacrifice were all done away with in Christ. Resurrection changed everything.

Today, we in the Church must keep reexamining old and familiar ways of thinking in the light of new Spirit-led experiences. May we recognize Jesus as the “Temple” where God dwells in the fullness of grace and truth.

                                                                                          —Ann Anderson

Psalm 19:7-14

The Law of the Lord

We are all familiar with “Natural Law” (think gravity, e.g.) and “Criminal Law” (think speed limits, e.g.). Disregarding either can damage our wellbeing. But what is this “Law of the Lord” which the Psalmist lauds?

It is Law that comes not from nature or government but from God. We see it codified in the Ten Commandments revealed to Moses and summarized by Jesus (Matt. 22: 37-40) in the “Greatest” and “Second” Commandments to love God and neighbor.

As we imperil ourselves by violating natural or criminal law, so we risk damaging our lives by failing to obey the Law of God, the revealed reliable roadmap to human health and wholeness. Gifted with the Law and assured of its truth and its many benefits (7-9: renewal of spirit; wisdom; joy; enlightenment), we may well follow the Psalmist’s honest self-examination (11-13) with our own, asking in these Lenten days how far we have missed the mark of sacrificial love and seeking the grace to improve our aim.

                                                                                                                  —Francis Fike