When Jesus came to earth, it didn’t draw a line through the old dispensation but only put it in a new light. The biggest impact was on people who lived under the law. 

We are used to laws. Laws are intended to help people live good lives. We have laws and rules for using public roads. It’s good to have a rule to ensure everyone drives on the same side. It would cause huge chaos if everyone decided for themselves which way they wanted to drive. 

It’s good to have speed limits. If you drive within the speed limit, there is less chance of accidents. Just think what would happen if people drove in urban areas at 100km/h. 

To enforce laws, penalties or fines are imposed to encourage the road user not to push the limits of the rules. So, to avoid fines, we tend to follow the rules – well, as much as possible! 

When one strays outside God’s law, we call it sin. Sin is not doing the will of God. Under God’s law, the penalty for sin is death. 

Because they feared death, people kept the law of God. Therefore, fear encouraged people to do right. Although this is a simplified explanation, it probably contributed to the compliance of many. 

Jesus came to shake things up. He sought to eliminate fear and the need for punishment. Now, people are no longer burdened by the consequences of their sins, as Jesus has already paid the price. 

Do we truly grasp the profound impact of Jesus’ coming to earth and His sacrifice on the cross in our daily lives? 

Jesus didn’t come to get rid of God’s rules from the Old Testament, but to take away the punishment and fear associated with it. Then, because we understand what Jesus has done for us, we want to stay within the rules and regulations of this law out of gratitude. 

7My dear friends, I’m not writing anything new here. This is the oldest commandment in the book, and you’ve known it from day one. It’s always been implicit in the Message you’ve heard. 8On the other hand, perhaps it is new, freshly minted as it is in both Christ and you—the darkness fading away and the True Light already blazing! 

Let’s use God’s law to illuminate our dark world. Let’s tell others and help them to walk on the path of truth so that they can also come into a living relationship with Jesus Christ.   

Scripture
1 John 2:3-9 

Reflection
How do you perceive God’s law?
Does it still have an impact on your life?
What does Jesus taking the punishment in your place do to you? 

Prayer
Jesus, thank you for bearing the punishment for my sin for me. Thank you for having a light yoke and thank you that I can now live within God’s law. Amen.