Discerning the Law (Mark 2:23-27)by Dan Williams

(Dan Williams, longtime pastor and former president of the Texas Baptist Laity Institute, passed away on April 28 after a long battle with prostate cancer. Dan wrote the following as a Lenten devotional a few years ago while serving as pastor of International Baptist Church in Hong Kong.)

A tornado was once spotted in West Texas. Two boys were missing. The search began. Finally, the parents heard noises coming from the washroom. Entering, they saw their sons in the tub splashing around. “What are you doing?” screamed the parents. The older brother reminded the parents of two rules in their home. One was never enter the tub without taking a bath. The second was when you hear the siren, find your brother and get into the tub for shelter.

The Sabbath was pronounced a day of rest (Exodus 20:8) for the same reason a field was “fallowed” every seven years (Exodus 23:11). People and land need a break. Obedience requires discernment. Discernment helps us know when to hold on to the letter of the law and when to acknowledge the spirit, doing the right thing.

For reflection:

1. Are there mutually exclusive rules in your life?
2. Are you tempted to hold others to the “letter” of the law, while enjoying the “spirit” of the law?

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being such a powerful example of how to keep both faith and practice true, while being sensitive to particular situations and the greatest needs at hand. Forgive us for our lack of discernment.