The Law

Matthew 5:11-16

I sometimes think that the poor old Pharisees and Teachers of the Law have a bad reputation. They were only trying to do their best for themselves and their flock. They wanted everybody to do what God wanted and that is why they tried to clarify the law. They tried to make following God's law easier by answering all the what-ifs. If a situation arose then look it up and whether it was permissible could be found. No thinking necessary, all was plain. The along comes Jesus telling them that the law is simply 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength' and 'Love  your neighbour as yourself.' The add-ons were not universal conditions. No easy rule, every situation is different.
Lord teach me to love where I am today.