I’ve enjoyed this year’s Bible reading plan that I found at biblegateway.com.  The one I chose includes about 2 chapters of Old Testament reading with 1 chapter or a bit less of New Testament reading.  As I plow through the books of Exodus and Leviticus, I look forward to the more familiar readings of the Gospels.  One day last week I was reading through pages and pages of rules and regulations, (read Exodus 21-23 if you have insomnia, it’ll help!), followed by chapter upon chapter of the minute details of building and decorating the tabernacle, and it occurred to me that God really, really wanted to make sure His people were different from all the other people in the region.  He wanted to make sure that the Israelites knew they were His chosen ones, set apart and holy.  A few more chapters of rules and regulations, and yes, I get it, they were living at a higher standard.  But geesh, I’m glad I don’t have to live with those standards.

And then I turned to my NT reading…

Jesus says, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” (Matthew 5:17 NLT) Then he gives specifics, like “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!” (v.21) and “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (v 21-22).

Yikes!

Under the new agreement with God, we are called to live at a higher, higher standard, one not based on external offerings, but offerings at the heart level.  I don’t have to put an animal on the table, I  need to put myself, as Paul says,

Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God. Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

Romans 12:1-2 (CEV)

The very best part of our agreement with God is that even though He demands the highest of standards, He also gives us the gift we need to live them …

“I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.”

Galatians 2:20