It may seem strange to read both Exodus 21 and Luke 24 in the same day. Exodus 21 is part of a law-code and is concerned with how justice applies to concrete, practical situations. It is part of God revealing to his rescued people how the life of freedom under his rule will work. He is concerned to see justice and goodness in every aspect of human life. This will then be an attractive model of holy living for the rest of world.
In Luke 24 we read of how the future God has planned for the
world has already broken into the present as he overcomes the death of Jesus by
raising him to new life. This is not a promise of some disembodied life in the
clouds (as many people think of our future hope) but of resurrection – God bringing
new life to the physical world. Jesus is flesh and bones. He walks, talks and
even eats with people. Talking to the disappointed disciples on the road to
Emmaus, he explains how the Old Testament Scriptures point to him. He may even
have said how the minutiae of Exodus 21 show the resurrection life to be one of
holiness in every part. And he passes the baton on to his disciples (us
included) to be witnesses of all this to the world.
For thought:
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<!--[endif]-->How can I obey the call to be a witness to my
bit of God’s world?
(Christ Church lay preacher)