Jesus: A Rebel with a Gracious Cause

Someone asked, "Would Jesus break the law to help someone?" The short answer is yes--not only did He break it, He encouraged others to do the same. In addition, He spoke well of one who broke the law in time past.

I cannot go on without saying that this question is incomplete; the complete question, and perhaps the key in answering more accurately is this:

"Would Jesus break the law to help someone, and if so, which law?"

With this in mind, the short answer is worth further investigation and opens the door for a multitude of discussions. With any kind of luck, it will effect change in our own lives.

So which law did Jesus break? Doesn't this go against His teaching? I thought He said we should obey the laws of the land. These are fair questions, so I'll get to the point regarding these. Yes, Jesus told us to obey the laws of the land, and yes, He would have defied His own teaching, IF the laws of the land were the ones He broke.

In every way, Jesus obeyed the laws of the land--right down to paying those dreaded taxes, never mind how he got the money to pay for them. This is another story.

Instead, Jesus broke the religious laws that the Pharisees set in place. In every sense of the word, He was a rebel-a rebel with an incredibly gracious cause.

In the book of Exodus chapter 34, it is recorded that God Himself wrote the Ten Commandments on two tablets of stone. The forth commandment reads,

"Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest." Ex. 34:21 (See Ex. 20:8 for details).

Such a simple law designed for the health and protection of the people-very simple; rest from labor.

Over the years, however, the religious leaders, known as the Pharisees complicated this law to an extreme degree. There were many other additions; six hundred and some odd laws they invented out of the ten. (Sounds a lot like what modern day churches have done.)

I mention this particular law because it has everything to do with our topic. Let us fast-forward a few thousand years to a scene that shows just how indignant Jesus was to the religious law of His day--In this case, the Sabbath.

"Now it happened on the second Sabbath that He [Jesus] went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. And some of the Pharisees said to them, 'Why are you doing what is not lawful to do in the Sabbath?' But Jesus answering said to them, ‘Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how they went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those who were with him, which is not lawful for anyone but the priests to eat?...But if you would have known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would have not condemned the guiltless.'" Luke 6:1-5; Matt 12:7

Jesus went on to explain that He was the Lord of the Sabbath and that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. In other words, if you are hungry eat; there is no law against that. The Labor God is referring to is a job. (By the way, the principle of the Sabbath is for us today.)

As we read on in the book of Luke, we are told that Jesus is in the temple the following week, again on the Sabbath. His heart was moved with compassion when he saw a man who had a withered hand.

"..So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Arise and stand here.' And he arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or destroy?' Luke 6:6-9

Jesus went on to heal this man's hand and then he questioned the Pharisees, asking them if one of their sheep were to fall into a well, would they do "work" to get it out? They were so angry and immediately began to plot on how they would destroy Him. I suppose there anger toward Jesus was a result of the conviction they felt.

They were so caught up in the rules and regulations of their religion, they put it above the basic love laws of God. I would recommend a fresh reading of the Gospels to see just how rebelious Jesus was against the religious laws.

One last thought (for now), on the "love" law of God; Today, if Jesus were at a red light and ahead he saw someone in need, I would venture to say he would look both ways and as soon as it was safe, he would "floor it" to reach them. In this respect, yes, Jesus would break a "governmental" law.

I believe we could learn a few things from Jesus and like him, become a rebel with a gracious cause. Are you willing to set aside your religious beliefs to help someone in need? I would like to think I would be willing to get a traffic ticket for a good cause. I have a feeling you would as well.

Come on; say it with me--I want to be like Jesus, I want to be a rebel with a gracious cause.


© Teresa Ortiz