Application of the Law

Scripture: Then Jesus said to him, "Get away from here, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve'." Matthew 4:10

Observation: Three times Satan tempts Jesus, and three times Jesus quotes scripture in response. It is interesting to note, however, that Jesus does not quote broadly from the entire scriptures, even when answering Satan's own use of the scriptures (from Psalm 91). Jesus limits his response to one book of the scriptures: Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy is the summary of the law. Yes, laws were given throughout the Pentateuch, but Deuteronomy is where Moses summarized and clarified the law before Israel entered the promised land. Some believe it is the true and full law, and that other laws only applied to the wilderness period of Israel, while others believe it is simply Moses' summary of all the laws. Either way, this is the text Jesus uses three times to strengthen himself, answer the challenge, and respond to false statements.

Application: Paul says that the law is sufficient for teaching, encouraging, and understanding. Jesus says he was the fulfillment of the law. Yet many times I would like to ignore the law - to engage in thoughts about what may or may not really apply anymore - to pick and chose what I obey.

I know this is wrong. I also know it is fruitless. And I know it is at my own peril I do this. The law is good as God's instructions that are intended to guide and protect us ... the law is designed to give us a good life within God's perfect will. Jesus, in one of his first acts as Messiah, applies the law to his encounter with temptation. I tend to ignore the law at the very moment of temptation.

The law teaches, advises, encourages, guides, and educates. The topic to which all these apply is that of a right, healthy, and fulfilling life with God. If I am to walk humbly with the Lord, that begins with the law.

Prayer: Lord, may I cease cherry-picking your law. I will strive to understand, remember, and obey your teachings. No, I don't have an ox to worry about whether or not I am treating it properly during the harvest, but I do have thoughts, actions, words, and deeds. May I align all that I do, think, and say to your law more and more. Amen.