SCRIPTURE: Mark 2:18-22
With Jesus, everything changes, for everyone, not just the Jews or Christians.
Jesus represents a new reality, a new season, a new relationship with God.
Religion says: ‘perform these rituals, practices or laws in order to acceptable to God’.
But with Jesus, the new reality is that we do not need to follow religious rules.
Jesus shows us God’s love (like a groom with his bride), not based on merit or performance but based on relationship… love.
God (through Jesus) is with us; He loves, forgives and accepts us; we do not need to do certain things to earn His love, just love Him in return.
This does not mean we cannot voluntarily choose to practice different religious rules or rituals, as an expression of our love.
But there is no ‘have to!’ and no ‘shame on you’ if you don’t… that’s the old way of religion!
I think we Christians forget this message: ‘you don’t tithe, you weren’t baptized by immersion, you drink alcohol, you don’t dress up for church, how shameful!’
‘Love God, and do whatever you want’ said St. Augustine; this is a relationship based on love, not religion, and it is the best tasting wine of all!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You want me to love You, not just be religious. Help me not to judge people by what they do our do not do. Help me to show them what a love relationship looks like.