Yeshua's Focus Is Not Our Focus

Sex. It’s an obsession too many Christians have, along with abortion, evolution and traditions, which too many people and churches confuse with scripture. Some people and some churches focus on them to the exclusion of everything else, including God. They don’t seem to care about social justice, the poor, ethical behavior, the environment or peace.

Too many of these people and churches also seem to like to sit in judgement of others. They like to look down on those holding views that they consider immoral. Perhaps it helps them feel secure and superior.

Yeshua’s focus wasn’t on sex, legalism, traditions or anything else. His focus was on LOVE. When asked what is the greatest commandment, in Matthew 22:36-49, Yeshua did not pick any of the Ten Commandments, but said “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Deuteronomy 6:5). He continued, “This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Leviticus 19:18) All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” The second is really two commandments, love yourself and love your neighbor as yourself. This is repeated in Mark 12:28-31.

Whenever people tried to get legalistic with him, Yeshua refuted them. How many times must we forgive? Who is our neighbor? What you may or may not do on the Sabbath. The concerns about following traditions. The only sacraments that Yeshua left us were baptism, which shows repentance, and the Lord’s Supper, which shows remembrance of him. Yeshua seemed distinctly opposed to leaving us with a set of specific rules to follow and instead wanted us to think things out on our own. Does a particular behavior show love?

Even Paul emphasized love over legalism and tradition. One of the most beautiful passages in scripture comes in I Corinthians 13, the love chapter. Paul concludes it by saying, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Mercy goes hand in hand with love. When confronted with the adulterous woman, Yeshua, while not condoning her behavior, saved her from being stoned to death. When her accusers had all left he asked her if there was anyone there to condemn her. She replied there was no one. “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”

So let’s quit focusing on the trivial and instead focus on the important, which is showing God’s love and mercy.