Matt 5:17-19 NAB
Jesus said to His disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” ”
Reflection
Jesus showed absolute reverence for God’s law and warned anyone against breaking them or taught others to do the same. It summed up the great prayer of Psalm 119: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” God gave these laws to teach His people to live righteous and abundant lives. There were the ten commandments and the Pentateuch, the five Books of Moses, making clear the commandments and the ordinances of God for His people. The scribes and the Pharisees have added their own interpretation on God’s laws but were condemned by Jesus for placing unnecessary burden on the people. Jesus made it clear He was here to fulfill the law of reverence for God, reverence for one’s parents, oneself, reverence for others’ lives, properties and their good names. Living the law produces the fruits of righteousness, love, peace and joy.
Corporate Leadership
The Old Testament patriarchs and prophets spoke the truth about God consistently since the beginning. However, throughout history, Israel has been conquered and ruled by different kings and emperors. With the change in rulers, new laws were imposed. This is no different in the corporate world. New management brings new changes. The middle management changes their way of thinking and working cascade to the working level. A good leader can change with the new ways of doing things, but he has to differentiate between what can change and what can’t change. Methods, forms and structure, techniques and so on can change for improvement and competitiveness. Principles of dealing with people, like integrity, honesty, must not change. Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain during World War II, said, “Truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but, in the end, there it is.” – XW
Family Leadership
In today’s world especially in an affluent society, children are given a lot of freedom to express what they like or don’t like. As a result, there are children who totally detest any rules or regulations that will inhibit their freedom of expression. At home, some parents may allow their children to argue and talk back to cultivate independent thinking. The children are also allowed to do as they will. However, just as God set laws for His people, every organization, society and home also need rules and regulations. If children are not taught to obey and show reverence for their parents’ rules, chances are that they too will not show reverence for other rules. This will get them into trouble with the law sooner or later. Parents have to be firm when teaching their children to show reverence for rules either at home or elsewhere and to put them above freedom of expression. – XW
