Under Construction, Week 3, Day 16

MATTHEW 5:17 | "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

When I began ministry in New Castle, Delaware it was shocking to learn how  few colonial towns had survived from the 1600 and 1700’s.  It was not because those structures lacked staying power—the buildings in that old village were built with stone and great care.  Few places survived because they were knocked down as time passed and fashion changed.  Beautiful buildings were lost before the concept of preservation took hold.

Jesus made many shifts and changes within the religious traditions of Judaism.  Love your friend and hate your enemy became love your enemies.  Pride in law-following became humility in the face of our need for grace.  Yet he came not to destroy traditions but to fill them full of new and deeper meaning.  He was a faithful revolutionary.

Have you ever lived in an old building?

Are you naturally a preserver or a de-constructor?

Tags: pride, law, enemies, fulfill, preserver, de-constructor