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Jesus Died So That We Might Have Independence
July 5, 2014

Last week as we learned that Jesus did away with evil so that we might live. Another way to look at this is to say that Jesus died so that we might have independence. Independence is a right of passage when a child earns more freedom and eventually is able to afford to move out of the family home to start his or her own home. Independence is also a national celebration. In the United States where I live, Independence Day was celebrated yesterday on July 4th. To be free as a nation requires constant sacrifice. Thousands of brave men and women have died so that the United States may enjoy freedom. On the Christian side of life, Jesus died so that we might have independence from the penalty of the law that plagued everyone who lived prior to the time of Jesus.

Colossians 2:13-23
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Paul, the apostle trained as a Pharisee, was showing that some of what was imposed by the religious authorities was not necessarily required by God. Paul did acknowledge that there is a place for God's calendar, the weekly Sabbath, and the annual Holy Days. He showed that indeed these are used to foreshadow the Kingdom of God. He then pointed out that the Church stems from Christ and that it is Christ and not religious authorities who we should seek to obey. Even when alive, Jesus contradicted accepted teachings of the religious authorities.

Matthew 12:1-13
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Jesus knew that the law of God was meant to benefit mankind, and yet the religious authorities had turned it into a burden. When Jesus and his disciples picked the corn to eat, they did so because they were hungry, and to the Pharisees, the religious authorities of the day, they did not care about hunger, the idea of exerting effort made this work. To use a modern American phrase, the Pharisees wanted coach potatoes once the religious worship was concluded. Jesus knew a different standard was permitted. He knew the Sabbath was intended not to be a burden, but a day free from other pursuits so that time could be given to worship and spiritual reflection. Seeking independence means being anti-establishment, and the establishment was having no part of Jesus and his new teachings. They quickly concluded they needed to get rid of him and quickly.

Matthew 12:14-23
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

In the end the religious establishment did kill Jesus and the rest is history. Jesus died so that we might have independence.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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