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Law Student,
Painting by Norman Rockwell (1894-1978),
Painted in 1927,
Oil on canvas
© The Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Massachusetts |
| Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’ |
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| Reflection on the Painting
Today’s illustration featured as the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on the 19th of February 1927, to celebrate the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. Norman Rockwell painted this picture of a store clerk reading law books. The painting alludes to Lincoln's own career start , where he was a store clerk and, after he had started a political career as a representative in the Illinois General Assembly, he studied law.
The Law Jesus is referring to in today’s reading is the Law of the Old Testament. Matthew in his Gospel often refers to the Old Testament, as he wrote at the time (around 80AD), mainly for a Jewish Christian audience who would have been very familiar with the Torah. Matthew has more Old Testament references than the other three Gospel writers combined.
Jesus is telling us today that He didn’t come to discard or abolish the Torah. No, He came to build on the Old Testament, calling us not to just stick to the rule of the Law, but to live it, to put in into action. Jesus teaches by word and action, by saying and doing. He calls us to an active ministry, not just obeying the rule of Law which is only the bare minimum.
by Patrick van der Vorst |  | |
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