The Minimum Requirements

  In the 3rd chapter of Galatians, which is certainly a difficult one, Paul contrasts the law with the promise given to Abraham and the law with faith in God/Christ.  In both cases, the law is the loser.  The promise to Abraham is greater than the law and faith in Christ is greater than the law.

  During our preparation for Easter we spent time going through some of Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5 beginning with verse 11.  In his teaching, known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly says that we must go beyond what the law requires.  He was saying this to people who had spent a lot of time deciding how to do as little as possible and still meet the demands of the law.  So what he was saying was not what they wanted to hear.  It was not a "feel good" message.  He was saying, "God gave you the minimum requirements and still you were looking to see how you could get around them." 

  Having faith in God and believing his promise to Abraham would lead one to live according to Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, the teachings that go beyond the literal wording of the 10 commandments.  Faith and the promise thus supersede the law.  Something (someone) greater than the law has come.

  For reflection:  Before we puff ourselves up thinking that we are better than the Jews at the time of Jesus, let us acknowledge that we have laws and courts that still seek to help us figure out the minimum requirements and how we can avoid them.  Love and faith go beyond the minimums.  Love and faith are lavish.

  Let us pray.  Lord, you have lavished me with your love

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