Today's Reading: Galatians 4:21-31
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 43:1-28; Mark 12: 13-27
“Tell me, you who want to be under the Law, have you heard the Law?’”
(Galatians 4:21)
Happy Lent! In the name of Jesus. Amen. You can’t have a happy Lent under the Law—ever. That kind of Lent will be filled with disappointing failures or prideful self-righteousness.
Have you looked at the Law? Have you reallylooked at it? So often those who want to be under the Law only wish for a soft law—a law that they can do.
The Law of God isn’t about losing weight. It’s not about just having a happy marriage. It’s isn’t only about not murdering someone or committing adultery.
There’s lust. Just “looking”. Taking a peek. Hating. Harming your neighbors. Not helping them. Wanting them dead. Skimming off the top. Not returning what is borrowed. Coveting—wanting what is someone’s else’s. Dishonoring mom and dad. Refusing to take care of them. White lies, black lies, and gossip. All of that will get you tossed into hell.
And that’s just the Second Table of the Law! The First Table is where the fun really is! Do you love God with your wholeheart? If so, why do you do what you do? Why do you say the things you say? Why don’t you read His Word? Why don’t you listen attentively when His Word is preached? Why don’t you honor His Name?
What? You wanted it. You wanted the Law, didn’t you? Those who live by the Law also die by it. Disobedience—even only once—means death. Death on earth and eternal death.
How’s that Law going for you? Still want all of Sinai? Or do you feel the chains of the slavery of your sins weighing you down?
But there’s another message from God. There’s another mountain, another Sinai. There’s Jerusalem, says St. Paul, where Jesus died. She’s free.
You are free in Jesus. Free in His forgiveness. Unchained by the Law and it’s demands! Set loose by the Son of God who loved you and bore the chains and punishment of the Law for you.
He died and the Law’s demands upon you died with Him. You died in Him in your Baptism. He rose on the third day. In your Baptism, you also rose in Him.
Once dead to sin and the Law, now you are alive to God. Finally free, enlivened, to live for God by serving those around you. Their needs before your own, their wants before yours.
In the Church, you receive His gifts which bring you to faith and free you from your slavery. Happy Lenten Freedom! In the name of Jesus. Amen.