Note: This series is written as a first-person narrative in order to present Jesus in the context he walked with the unknown disciple that narrates presenting my thoughts and sparking more thoughts with his questions. Enjoy.
I just wondered how the Law still applied, and Jesus went right into answering my unspoken question.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Fulfill, to interpret rightly. It felt like something more, like a completion of them. How?
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
“Truly I tell you…” That was said with authority. He answered the question though. Not even a yod, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet would be taken away. Whoever did would be the least important in the kingdom.
Yet still allowed, I mused. There’s some mercy there.
Pausing, I wondered, what was the least commandment that Jesus said couldn’t be relaxed. My teacher, when I was a child said it was in Deuteronomy…ah! It’s “If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life.“
That’s how valuable it is in that the reward is life. The same as what the rabbis had said we get for the greatest commandment, honoring our parents.
Then Jesus said something that made my heart drop into the pit of my stomach.
Matthew 5:17-19
Deuteronomy 22:6-7
A Ronin's Journey 