Jesus was supposed to be perfect, right? Never committed a single sin. Right?
Then why did He break the law? Two in one day.
In John 9 Jesus spit in the dirt and made mud. He rubbed it on a blind man’s eyes and healed him– on the Sabbath.
According to Pharisaic law, it was legal to spit on a rock, but illegal to spit in the dirt. The Jews considered making mud work–illegal on the Sabbath. And heal a blind man? On the Sabbath?
How did Pharisees react? Praising God? Rejoicing at the healing miracle? No! They ridiculed the blind man. Told him he was born into sin. Claimed his sin caused his blindness. Cast him out of the synagogue. They called Jesus a sinner. No way He could be from God, they said.
Why did Jesus break the law? I think it was to show the hypocritical Pharisees their self-made religious laws were ridiculous. They weren’t satisfied with ten commandments. They thought they needed 613 more. 248 dos and 365 don’ts.
They didn’t learn.
But their laws weren’t God’s law.
In Colossians, Paul says,
Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. 2:23.
The law:
- stirs up sin.
I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. Romans 7:7-8
- Causes rebellion
Think about it. How fast do you drive when the speed limit says 65 mph? When the sign says “Express Lane–15 items or less“?
If you don’t know your true identity in Christ, you’re in bondage to law and you can’t enjoy the blessed freedom of living in grace. Law says, “I must.” Grace says, “I want to. Because I love Jesus and I know Jesus loves me.”
For His Glory 