The Man In Love
If, when King David’s death was approaching, he sent his son, Solomon, to continue the good work that God began in him, no wonder then that Jesus sent his disciples as sons and daughters to continue the good work that God had begun in him. Solomon inherited David’s kingdom. We are inheriting the Kingdom of Christ the King.
And while David spoke of the Law as he gave his earthly authority to Solomon, “Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, observing his statutes and decrees as written in the law of Moses,” Jesus sent his disciples out with his divine authority. “Jesus sent them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.”
Jesus, therefore, is the everlasting Son of David, the promised King whose Kingdom is everlasting, the One who fulfills the Law perfectly. And this is what he enables us to do, to fulfill the Law. But how do we fulfill the Law? It is not by our efforts, but by grace, by love.
We fulfill the Law not because we are afraid of offending God, but because we have been loved by Him. I often recall with you the scene from Brideshead Revisited, when Charles is visiting Lord Marchmain who is dying but is resisting death. Charles says to the doctor, “Amazing will to live, hasn’t he?” The doctor replies, “Do you think that’s what it is? I think, rather, it’s the fear of dying.” “What’s the difference?” Charles asks. “Oh there’s every difference. He derives no strength from his fear.”
In some sense, Old Testament holiness (trying of our own efforts to fulfill the Law) could be seen as trying not to die, resisting death, whereas New Testament holiness is the desire to live. And there is a difference. An example may help: When a man falls in love, he begins to live differently. He drives at an unhurried and deliberate pace, he pays his bills early, he calls his mother just to see how she’s doing, and he says hello kindly to the people he meets in the stores. In short, he fulfills the law, not out of fear, but because he is in love.
The early disciples proclaimed, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” It was not a denunciation of the world. It was an attestation, proclaimed by the way they lived. “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?” And the Lord will answer, “When you were in love.” +