Rites Vs. Relationships Part I

He (Jesus) elevated the righteousness of relationships as superior and authentic above the righteousness of rituals and doctrines

Once in a while Christians need to pause and ask, why grace? Is grace all about the forgiveness of our sins? Could it be beyond wealth and health teachings? Did grace abolish the Law? How does grace affect all human relationships? Whatever we have known about God’s grace there is always more to learn.

In September, I shared on Facebook how most believers dishonour their Parents. Some permanently distance themselves from them without visiting or communicating with them. In some extreme case we have Christians praying their parents die because they allege them as witches/wizards impeding their material and spiritual growth.  It is more of a reality in Africa, especially Nigeria that Christians had their parents substituted with their pastors (Spiritual parents). Relationships in general are axed and trivialised under the cloud of spiritual growth. What I share now is to further expound on the mind of the Lord about relationships.

At the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry what He taught was recorded in Matthew chapter five to the seventh. But I would like to draw your attention to few of His words in chapter five. I believe this is a very crucial place to begin because what He taught introduced us to the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, His Good News.

Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until the sky and earth pass away and perish, not one smallest letter nor one little hook [identifying certain Hebrew letters] will pass from the Law until all things [it foreshadows] are accomplished. Whoever then breaks or does away with or relaxes one of the least [important] of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least [important] in the kingdom of heaven, but he who practices them and teaches others to do so shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:17-19 Amplified

Some believe Christ was talking about not abolishing the ordinances of the Law but He wasn’t. Jesus didn’t observe the rituals of the Law, which made the Pharisees and Chief Priests to sharply contend with Him. Although, He admonished Jews to keep the ordinances of the Law.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. Matthew 23:1-3 NIV

What did Jesus mean by fulfilling the Law and Prophets?

He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:44-47 NIV

How He lived, died and resurrected was what He meant by fulfilling the Law and prophets in Matthew chapter five. This equally meant that before the death and resurrection of Jesus he attained and was fulfilling the righteousness of the Law and Prophets without partaking of the rituals embedded in the Law. This becomes clear when we consider His words:

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:35-40 NIV

The Law and the prophets are summed up by love relationship with God and humans, not in rituals. The Law and The Prophets was to massage the hearts of Israel toward the divine God who chose them out of the nations of the earth and it re-echoes God’s voice to Israel by giving timely counsel and warnings critical in sustaining their relationships with YAHWEH and their fellow man.

Well said, teacher, the man replied. You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself [RELATIONSHIP] is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices [RITUALS]. Mark 12:32-33 NIV

Until Christians think deeply and absorb this truth we shall keep chasing shadows in our walk of faith. While the Pharisees and chief priests held on to their ritualistic programmes, Jesus ignored the rituals and traditions and clung to relationships. This is so important for us to grasp because Jesus began His first teaching by enunciating on relationships. When Jesus in Matthew 5:20 said, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven,” He elevated the righteousness of relationships as superior and authentic above the righteousness of rituals and doctrines.

So if when you are offering your gift at the altar you there remember that your brother has any [grievance] against you, Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift.  Matthew 5:23-24 Amplified

That is the basis for New Testament theology. That we without the offering of a single sacrifice or the keeping of a single commandment, yet by the love of God and the sacrifice of His Son were brought into the righteousness of the relationship of the Godhead. Abraham was declared righteous on the basis of God’s invitation into a relationship and not when He erected altars. Therefore Relationship is the fulfilment of all Laws and Prophecies of the Old Testament.

It is alarming how modern day believers make conformity of doctrines and rites the basis for association and relationships. This trend consciously or subconsciously emanates from human ideology to grasp and practice the righteousness of God. But regrettably it leads believers back to the gutters of the Pharisaic righteousness. These believers, in observing certain doctrines of consecration thought it necessary to axe their relationships with people to remain pure. Therefore they either or both avoid visiting, fellowshipping or eating with those who doesn’t conform to their doctrines and traditions (parents included) just as the Pharisees and priests. Does it sound familiar? However Jesus kept His relationships with His parents, siblings and even sinners and yet He was majestically adorned with the name THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jesus began His earthly ministry with these words, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near! Repent by turning away from rituals and doctrines which has not fostered but poisoned human relationships. The kingdom of heaven that was at hand then but which now is, is a divine relationship with all the household of God. As a result, we can now live peaceably loving even those who are yet to join in (unbelievers) even our persecutors. At a time Jesus was the only one on earth who walked in that divine fulfilment of relationship while others walked in the ordinances which led to discrimination and the holier than thou syndrome.

Matthew chapter five Jesus mentioned Brother four times, wife, enemies all in the context of strengthening relationships with them. The chapter ended with Jesus demanding perfection in our relationships as our Heavenly Father.

Grace is the ability of God given to Christians that hitherto they have failed in their relationships with God and man. By this supernatural gift now received, we can sustain and strengthen all known relationships beyond human inadequacies. Our faith builds relationships not destroy it. That is the gospel of Jesus! Strengthening your relationships or severing them? Walking in the grace of Jesus Christ or the righteousness of rites?

Do we then by [this] faith make the Law of no effect, overthrow it or make it a dead letter? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law.  Romans 3:31 Amplified