Crazy Laws

As a Sheriff's Deputy it is my job to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Recently, I looked up some of the crazy laws of Kentucky and this is what I found. It is illegal to fish in the Ohio River in Kentucky without an Indiana fishing license. It is illegal to fish with a bow and arrow in Kentucky. It is illegal to transport an ice cream cone in your pocket. It is illegal for a woman to buy a hat without her husbands permission. And last but not least my personal favorite crazy law: No female shall appear in a bathing suit on any highway within this state unless she be escorted by at least two officers or unless she be armed with a club". The following important ammendment however is to be considered here: "The provisions of this statuate shall not apply to females weighing less than 90 pounds nor exceeding 200 pounds. What?
In Jesus day their were a bunch of guys who were named the Pharisees and they were always picking at Jesus about their laws. In Matthew chapter 15 a caertain number of Pharisees had tracked down Jesus and asked him about ceremonial washing of the hands before eating. In verse 2 the Pharisees asked Jesus, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
Ceremonial washing was just one of many crazy laws that the people of Jesus day would have to keep to be considered forgiven. In verse 10 Jesus responded by telling those present, "Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth doesn't make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean." In essence, Jesus was saying whatever comes from the heart is what matters.
The fact of the matter is their is nothing that you or I can do to earn forgiveness. Jesus said in John chapter 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me."
My question to you is this: Have you been trying to earn forgiveness? If so I know how you feel because I once tried to earn forgiveness too. The weight of sin and religion can sometimes be overbearing. If you constantly feel the overbearing weight of sin and religion in your life know that you can be set free right now. In Matthew chapter 11:28 Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow night in the upper room of the student building at Eagle Heights Church.