The Laws Of God Are Liberating And Protective.

Luke 11:39.

Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.

The Talmud , a collection of ancient rabbinic writings, relates the story of Rabbi Akiba, who was imprisoned. Rabbi Joshua brought him some water, but the guard spilled half of the container. There was too little water to both wash and drink, and Rabbi Akiba faced the possibility of death for lack of water if he chose to use the water for ceremonial washing. He reasoned, “He who eats with unwashed hands perpetuates a crime that ought to be punished by death. Better for me to die of thirst than to transgress the traditions of my ancestors!“

Jesus responded harshly to such reasoning: “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a…