Throughout the Gospels we see Jesus practicing what he preached and commanding his listening audience to do the same. For example, Jesus is seen eating with "sinners," a word that can only apply to two classes of people: non-religious Jews and the uncircumcised, i.e., Gentiles. So it would make sense that Jesus broke Kosher laws, similar to the allegations against Peter in Acts 11:3; Gal 2.12.
In Mark 7 Jesus uses his criticism of the tradition of the Jewish elders to make a further teaching on the food laws."Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. 'All of you listen,' he said, 'and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart'.”
(Mar 7.14-15; NOTE some manuscripts add verse 16, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.")
As a result, Mark later says that by saying these things "Jesus had made all foods clean." (Mar 7.19)
The Apostles likely broke the once a year law on fasting from Lev. 16, i.e., for the Day of Atonement. In Mar 2.19 Jesus clearly says: "They can’t fast while the groom is with them." And we all know that the ministry of Jesus lasted for at least years.
In Numbers 5 God commands the removal of people with all kinds of illnesses "so that they will not defile their camps." The same in Numbers 9.10 where God commands anyone who has been in contact with the dead not to take the Passover. Yet, Jesus and his followers are recorded time and again as having to touch the sick, demonized in order to heal them.
In Matthew 12:1-6 and John 5:17-19 we see Jesus and his followers breaking the Sabbath yet, not making them lawbreakers, i.e., sinners.
Lastly, under Moses you could kill your enemy and even the "intruder: (Lev. 24.20; Ex 22.2) but under Jesus you have to unconditionally “love your enemies” (Mat 5.38-39; cp. Luke 6.28-29).
And under Moses a certificate of divorce was granted (Deut. 24.1-4) but under Jesus divorce is allowed for only one reason (Mat 5.31-32; 19).
The fact is Jesus was sent to preach and practice New Covenant Law (Heb. 9.15; 12.24). As a result, Jesus was under his own Law, what Paul later calls the Law of Messiah (Gal 6.2; 1Cor 9:21, not the same as the Law of Moses!). Hence, Paul clearly says "imitate me as I imitate Messiah" (1Cor 11.1). And though we all know that both Paul and Jesus were "born under the Law" of Moses, it doesn't mean they had to remain Torah-observant for the rest of their life!
The Apostles likely broke the once a year law on fasting from Lev. 16, i.e., for the Day of Atonement. In Mar 2.19 Jesus clearly says: "They can’t fast while the groom is with them." And we all know that the ministry of Jesus lasted for at least years.
In Numbers 5 God commands the removal of people with all kinds of illnesses "so that they will not defile their camps." The same in Numbers 9.10 where God commands anyone who has been in contact with the dead not to take the Passover. Yet, Jesus and his followers are recorded time and again as having to touch the sick, demonized in order to heal them.
In Matthew 12:1-6 and John 5:17-19 we see Jesus and his followers breaking the Sabbath yet, not making them lawbreakers, i.e., sinners.
Lastly, under Moses you could kill your enemy and even the "intruder: (Lev. 24.20; Ex 22.2) but under Jesus you have to unconditionally “love your enemies” (Mat 5.38-39; cp. Luke 6.28-29).
And under Moses a certificate of divorce was granted (Deut. 24.1-4) but under Jesus divorce is allowed for only one reason (Mat 5.31-32; 19).
The fact is Jesus was sent to preach and practice New Covenant Law (Heb. 9.15; 12.24). As a result, Jesus was under his own Law, what Paul later calls the Law of Messiah (Gal 6.2; 1Cor 9:21, not the same as the Law of Moses!). Hence, Paul clearly says "imitate me as I imitate Messiah" (1Cor 11.1). And though we all know that both Paul and Jesus were "born under the Law" of Moses, it doesn't mean they had to remain Torah-observant for the rest of their life!
This seems to me a perfectly sound argument. As Carlos rightly says, the "Law of Messiah" does not prescribe observance of the whole Torah, including the tribal customs of Judah. But it is also helpful to remember that it does include the Noahide laws and that the Apostles' mission was to convince Greco-Roman world to worship the One God, to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, to expect a just and peaceable Kingdom, and to behave like the heirs of Abraham rather than bloodthirsty, self-indulgent pagans.
ReplyDeleteJesus Practiced What he Preached
ReplyDeleteThroughout the Gospels we see Jesus practicing what he preached and commanding his listening audience to do the same. For example, Jesus is seen eating with "sinners," a word that can only apply to two classes of people: non-religious Jews and the uncircumcised, i.e., Gentiles. So it would make sense that Jesus broke Kosher laws, similar to the allegations against Peter in Acts 11:3; Gal 2.12.
I doubt Jesus broke the Kosher laws during his lifetime. It does not say so anywhere in the scriptures.
In Mark 7 Jesus uses his criticism of the tradition of the Jewish elders to make a further teaching on the food laws.
"Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. 'All of you listen,' he said, 'and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart'.”
(Mar 7.14-15; NOTE some manuscripts add verse 16, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.")
As a result, Mark later says that by saying these things "Jesus had made all foods clean." (Mar 7.19)
The Apostles likely broke the once a year law on fasting from Lev. 16, i.e., for the Day of Atonement. In Mar 2.19 Jesus clearly says: "They can’t fast while the groom is with them." And we all know that the ministry of Jesus lasted for at least years.
Jesus as a Jew would have kept all of the High Holy Days including the Yom Kippor fast! In no way would he have instructed his deciples not to keep the fast of Yom Kippor! As a Jew you cannot ignot keeping the High Holy Days and claim to be blameless. If what you say is true why would Jesus instruct his desciples to keep Passover?
In Numbers 5 God commands the removal of people with all kinds of illnesses "so that they will not defile their camps." The same in Numbers 9.10 where God commands anyone who has been in contact with the dead not to take the Passover. Yet, Jesus and his followers are recorded time and again as having to touch the sick, demonized in order to heal them. In this argument you are mixing apples and oranges.
In Matthew 12:1-6 and John 5:17-19 we see Jesus and his followers breaking the Sabbath yet, not making them lawbreakers, i.e., sinners.
Where in the scriptures does it say they broke the Sabbath laws as laid down plainly in the scriptures. What they were accused of doing was breaking the Sabbath laws as written and interpreted by the Pharasees and scribes. Quite a different conclusion!
Lastly, under Moses you could kill your enemy and even the "intruder: (Lev. 24.20; Ex 22.2) but under Jesus you have to unconditionally “love your enemies” (Mat 5.38-39; cp. Luke 6.28-29). However, I am allowed to protect myself from injury and to protect my neighbor if they are being attacked.
And under Moses a certificate of divorce was granted (Deut. 24.1-4) but under Jesus divorce is allowed for only one reason (Mat 5.31-32; 19).
The fact is Jesus was sent to preach and practice New Covenant Law (Heb. 9.15; 12.24). As a result, Jesus was under his own Law, what Paul later calls the Law of Messiah (Gal 6.2; 1Cor 9:21, not the same as the Law of Moses!).
Where does it say that Jesus was under his own law while he was alive? He kept the Law of Moses perfectly! The New Covenant was not ratified until it was done when he became a sin-offering sacrifice on the cross. It didn't come into to affect until after he said: "It is finished".
Hence, Paul clearly says "imitate me as I imitate Messiah" (1Cor 11.1).
Indeed, Jesus lived out his creed as given in Mark 12:28-32: i.e. love God with all your heart, mind, being and strength and love your neighbor as yourself! Paul did the same and so should we, as we are empowered by the Spirit of God to do so.
And though we all know that both Paul and Jesus were "born under the Law" of Moses, it doesn't mean they had to remain Torah-observant for the rest of their life!
Indeed Paul said he kept the law blamelessly during his life, and Jesus did the same during his life!
Ezekiel and John were given the words of God to internalize and pass on to others (Ezek. 3:1-3; Rev.10:9-11). Believers are given food laws by which to be spiritually healthy. The food is to encourage growth through understanding, enriching our spiritual foundation by consistent effort to grow roots that provide nourishment and stability (Mt. 13; Mk. 4; Lk. 8). We are to "work at," like Ezekiel and John, being open and accepting of what's offered even if it's sometimes upsetting or challenging. Those who are willing to do this obey the admonition to "eat of me" (John 6). When we eat of Jesus we eat bread blessed by the Father. Through the spirit embedding knowledge into us we can understand what Jesus taught as well as who he is and his role given by God (Luke 24:30-31; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2).
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