The Teachers of The Law in Jesus’ day strongly believed they were keepers of God’s Law. They learned it from those who went before them and they intended for those who came after them to keep The Law too.
They made the crucial mistake of looking at the created and not The Creator. They stared too long at the letter of the law and missed its intent. They held on to old traditions so tightly, there was not room to grow.
Jesus never suggested they be barred from teaching God’s Word. He simply wanted them to line up with The Word they were preaching. And He wanted them to grow spiritually.
Jesus told them,
“You nullify The Word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
Mark 7:13
Meanwhile, apart from the temple leaders, Jesus was raising up men and women as future leaders. Most of them would not make the cut as leaders of what had become a religion based on tradition alone.
Jesus broke all barriers. He opened doors no one could close and closed doors no one could open.
With Jesus’ transition out of His Physical Body, the curtain of the temple was ripped in two.
And with Pentecost, the new order of God’s Kingdom on earth began. Joel saw it long before.
I will pour out My Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Joel 2:28-29
May we never be guilty of trying to bar any door God has opened. We need to get on with what Jesus has called us to do. And in order to achieve The Mission, we need all of us.
Go into all the world and preach The Gospel to all creation!
Mark 16:15
