Luke 16 - Do I Still Need to Obey the Law?


16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. 18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
This is a very interesting passage the meaning of which I had never really seen before.  This is why it is good to continue to read the bible because God reveals new understanding each time we read it.  In this case Jesus is comparing the Law to the Gospel.  Of course Jesus came to preach the gospel which was in fulfillment of the Law and Prophets.  The Law revealed God's holiness and showed that we could not measure up to the the Law and needed a Savior for our sins.  
The prophets not only warned Israel of their sin, but also prophesied of the One who would be the fulfillment of the Law, the Messiah.  So without negating the primacy of the gospel Jesus re-affirms the Law is good and holy.  Although we are not justified by the Law, we are not set free so we can disobey it.  In this case, Jesus brings up the example of marriage.  In Jesus' day the marriage laws were favorable to the men.  As one commentator said, some rabbis taught that if a wife burned her husband's breakfast it was grounds for divorce. I imagine that wouldn't go over very well today. 
But the point is that Jesus still commands our obedience and the law is always representative of God's will.  Of course Jesus revealed the true spirit of the law in the Sermon on the Mount when he said things like,  "You have heard it said do not commit adultery, but I say but whoever looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery in his heart."  Jesus was teaching against legalism there the people tried to obey the minimum of the law and completely missed its point.  
So while we have received amazing grace and are set free from the power of sin, death, and the power of the devil. let's use our newfound freedom to serve God not indulge our sinful nature!  

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