In | Curious Passages in the New Testament

Part of what we want to do, even in this first New Testament lesson, is to reckon with the fact that we will encounter some passages that will challenge us. Let’s call these “Curious Passages.” What you’ll find is that some background Behind the Text often makes sense of them.

For example, Jesus says I come to keep the Law—not one jot or tittle will pass away until the Law is fulfilled. He is presented by the Gospel writers as someone who never breaks the Law. And yet, He’s accused of breaking the Sabbath, one of the Ten Commandments (John 5:1-18).

This is not a ceremonial law. It’s not a civil law. It’s a moral law. Nobody would dispute the Ten Commandments. Is Jesus actually breaking the Sabbath? If not, why is He being accused of breaking the Sabbath? 

Those are the kind of things that we find in the New Testament, and they require some digging. As we work our way through the New Testament, we will address some of these curious passages, but for now let’s just do a bit of an inventory.