First Lines: Rule Following

First Lines: Rule Following

by Griff Martin

October 4, 2017

How important is it to follow the rules? In the scheme of things, all things considered, how important is it that you and I follow the rules?

It’s an interesting question, and one that could be debated for quite some time. Our culture, particularly suburban America, will teach us that following the rules is really important. For example, we follow the set stereotypes, follow protocol to any given situation, and go with that which is considered the social norm. We have been taught to do this since we were children – be good girls and boys by following the rules.

For most of us, even in church there are rules and protocols that need to be followed. For example, think about prayer request time. We can talk about our kids being sick, our aunt who has cancer, an upcoming business trip, or a friend who is “struggling.” Can we talk about the sin with which we are dealing? Can we talk about the fear we might not make a mortgage payment? Can we be honest that our marriage is at the rope’s end this week, or that we are drowning in sadness? Even in worship there is a protocol to where we sit, how we stand and if we can say “Amen” out loud.

I think the social norms and rules by which we abide often make our God sad. God hates when we are too controlled.

One of the better-known stories of Jesus is of him approaching a woman at the well to ask for a simple drink of water because he was thirsty. He then goes on to offer some incredible statements about worship, faith, our journey with God, and our own lives. But before he makes those statements, he breaks all the rules. He talks to a woman. He talks to a non-Jew. He talks to someone in a different social class. Three strikes, you’re out.

But to Jesus, these rules don’t matter. The social norms that ruled the day were not really that important – in fact, they were actually a hindrance to Jesus’ epic love story. All genders were created equally in his eyes. All races were created equally in his eyes. All social classes were created equally in his eyes. To Jesus, each person was just as important as all persons.

All people, all people, all people.

And Jesus just continues to break the rules. He gets upset at the temple. He gets angry in church. He chooses disciples who are not really that worthy. He heals people that he should not even be touching. He works on the Sabbath. He stands up for those that are outcast and broken. He sides with a woman caught in adultery. He interprets Scripture differently than the religious leaders of the day.

So maybe we should take a lesson from our Jesus and realize that some rules are simply made to be broken. There are social norms and rules that continue to exist around us that are hindering our participation in the epic love story of God.

So make it a point this week to break the rules – reach out to that person no one will reach out to, choose people who don’t seem worthy, love the unlovable, side with those no one else will side with, question how Scripture is interpreted, talk about things that are taboo and live the epic love story.