After rejoicing in the freedom of the Gospel the Galatians have been bewitched back into the familiar. Like the older son in the parable of the prodigal, they work hard for everything even when in Christ everything is free. For the Galatians the Gospel might work in theory, but it is not nearly as helpful for holy living as a healthy dose of the law. And more to the point the law is a checklist clearly defined and therefore trustworthy. Blessings flow from obedience. Disobedience leads to death. It is this closed system that God enters when at the right time the Son is born into the world of the law with its rules and regulations and requirements to redeem those who lived under the law. One might assume that redeeming those under the law would require the One born of a woman, born under the law to obey the law, but apparently that was not part of the plan. In fact, it would appear the opposite is what God had in mind. Even a quick comparison of Torah law and the stories surrounding Jesus lead to a multiple count indictment of the Nazarene. The demands of the law require that Jesus be cut off from the land of the living forever. Instead this law breaker is resurrected, which must mean disobeying the law is not as damning as the Galatians have been led to believe. So how can Jesus be the example of one tempted in every way, yet without sin, if he so clearly disobeyed the rules required by the covenant? It is because Jesus lived the Gospel the Law was always meant to embody. “I desire mercy not sacrifice” is how God says it on more than one occasion. The Spirit sent into hearts reveals the truth of the redeemed relationship. In Christ law lovers are those who live the law of love.
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