I got enthusiastic permission from Pastor Ryan to name this devotion as I did.
Looking at Matthew 5:17-20, we see Jesus talking about the new role of the law in his kingdom. It is not diminished at all, rather, it is completed. But what does that mean? We see Jesus’s ministry later setting aside some elements of the law, dietary restrictions, cleansing rituals, and sabbath regulations. Paul, in several places in Romans, also proclaims that we are “released from the law” Yet here in verse 19, Jesus warns that whoever relaxes even the smallest commandment and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
When we were discussing this week’s devotions in the writing group, the analogy of riding a bike with training wheels came up, reminding me of a story of an experience I had.
Growing up, I rode a bike all the time! My bike had training wheels, like big honkin beefy ones, which I rode well into Jr High. I outgrew that bike at some point, but I was always aware that I never rode a bicycle without training wheels before. Later in life, a family friend, Greg Reynolds, caught wind of my love for speed and offered me a ride on the back of his Harley-Davidson. As I climbed on, he said, “Jonathan, when we lean into turns, just sit still—don’t lean.” And with that simple instruction, we took off. It was awesome! We leaned into big sweeping turns as smooth as butter, the wind in my clothes brought the sensation of speed to life in a visceral way!
When you have training wheels all you can think about is getting rid of them. Much like trying to keep all the rules, you long for the freedom that comes from a life without sin. In the same way that I’m unable to balance a bike, we are unable rid ourselves of our sinful nature and keep the law. All the while Jesus is inviting us to abandon our little struggles to experience power and freedom completely different from what we could ever know otherwise.
Greg gave me a gift, he let me experience something categorically different from everything I knew. I listened to Greg’s simple instructions and my horizons expanded. Likewise, if we listen to Jesus and do what he says, we will be living in his power with his freedom!
Jonathan Duncan
EFCC member