Even if many of us don’t know the precise definition of the word, “paradox,” we all have a sense of what it means. Some of the more familiar examples of a paradox include, “Less is more;” which means what? How can “less” actually be “more?” Well, we get it that something less complicated is often more appreciated. Here’s another: “If I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing.” Well, which is it? Does the person know but one thing, or doesn’t he know anything? Yes. I offer just one more example, one that we have employed most Sunday mornings throughout the Coronacrisis: “Welcome to Faith Family Fellowship where faith and family meet – apart.”
Of far greater import, the Bible has given rise to this one paradox surrounding the purpose of Moses’ Law. “God designed it to show us and all mankind how to live, right?” Not exactly, for we presume that if we obeyed its scads of rules as best as humanly possible, rules like, “Don’t steal and don’t murder,” then God would be pleased with us.
You may be surprised to hear that the Law’s purpose is far more paradoxical. If you attend this Sunday, you may not only be surprised by what you hear, you will be more greatly apprised by what you learn.