Jesus experienced frustration about false applications of the Mosaic Law. An example of this is when he was asked about putting a wife away for any cause. He noted the hardness of people’s heart. Jesus reflected that precise adherence to the law only amounted to a legalistic lifestyle while ignoring the more important matters of mercy and faith.
All through the Gospel Jesus objected to the idea of keeping the law for the sake of keeping it. He challenged the current Sabbath concept. He was more concerned about forgiveness than stoning an adulterous woman. Jesus invited believers to take his light yoke upon themselves. His goal was spiritual integrity in salvation. Not steppingstones to false pride.
We must remember the cultural climate of the day and avoid removing Scripture from its context. The purpose of the Mosaic Law was to protect the community, provide for health and hygiene, and establish a sense of belonging for those who only knew the life of slavery. The book of Hebrews says that the blood of animals did nothing to save mankind. Galatians says the law is only a schoolmaster.
The law was not intended to show us how to become perfect. In fact, it showed us how imperfect we are. Good deeds does not give us perfection. When we swear or covet, we break all the 10 Commandments besides any other sins we may commit. Isaiah said that our righteousness is like filthy rags. Because we are unable to comply with the Mosaic Law, we must conclude that we are spiritual failures. We needed divine repair that no law can provide. What a wonderful thing it is that Jesus died on the cross because of our imperfection.
Christian Writer 