Billy Bob died. His wife went down to the local paper to have them put in an obituary. When the editor of the paper informed her the rate for obits was 50 cents per word, she thought for a minute, then told him to put “Billy Bob died.”

Somewhat bemused by the widow’s thrift, the editor replied “Sorry, ma’am, but the rule is a seven word minimum.”

After thinking a minute, the widow said “Ok, put ‘Billy Bob died. 1983 pick-up for sale.”

There are no shortage of rules that seem to make little sense, and no shortage of folks who seem to find a way around them. The problem comes when people abuse the rules that are meant to serve as a protection for us. This week, one billionaire was given a 150 year prison sentence for breaking the rules.

“Rules were made to be broken”, they say. That statement originated with the writings of noted science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, a man who was fascinated by God, and often speculated on the origin of the Bethlehem Star, but who despised religion, and left instructions that absolutely no religious overtones or symbols be used in his funeral whatsoever.

Rules can sometimes serve as powerful signs and symbols. For instance, we all know what the colors red, green, and yellow symbolize when seen on traffic signs or lights. If we drove up to a traffic light and saw the color purple flashing, we’d have no idea what to do. But we have no problem interpreting a red light or red sign, no matter where we are from or who we are.

The Ten Commandments have become the most symbolic set of rules of all time. Until recent generations, most school children knew them by rote. However, as we are well aware, memorizing and living are two different things.

Our scripture focus today is one of the most familiar in the Old Testament. After God had led Abraham’s children out of Egypt, they journeyed to Mount Sinai. Moses instructed the people to purify themselves and get ready for God to speak.

God began by letting the people know how passionate His love for them was, and His desire that they be just as passionate about Him. He absolutely forbade the use of images, the misuse of His name, and the abuse of His day. Why? Because God knows the power of signs and symbols.

God’s law is a sign of His love. It was given as a guide to aid His people in living in right relationship with Him and one another. In later generations, the Law became the very thing it forbids. It became an idol. A graven image. A misuse of God’s name, and an abuse of His day. This is the world Jesus found, and his anger at what God’s beautiful covenant expression had become caused him to reek havoc in the temple.

Rules are wonderful guides, but horrible masters.

Jesus was a rule breaker. He healed on the Sabbath. He ignored purification rites. He spoke to women and lepers, prostitutes and thieves. He ate dinner in the home of the Bernie Madoff of his day. He refered to Himself as a child of God. This was the one that went too far, as far as the rule keepers were concerned. This was the one that caused them to kill Him. Fortunately, Jesus didn’t even obey the rules of life and death. When you die, you’re supposed to stay dead. Not Jesus! When someone kills you, you’re supposed to hate them and seek revenge. Not Jesus! If you have power, you’re supposed to use it to get ahead. Not Jesus! He focused His power on loving us.

The Church of the Nazarene has changed a lot in my generation. We used to have a rule for everything. I assumed that was just the way it always was, and when enough people decided to quit living by a given rule, they just finally took it out of the Manual.

When researching our history, I discovered the real reason behind the rules. They weren’t a set of “dos” and “dont’s“. They were group boycotts against evil elements of society. Early Nazarenes really thought if they got together and voted with their pocketbooks, they could influence big government, corporate America, and Hollywood.

Soon, however, it became about the rules. Rather than “we choose not to spend our money on the entertainment industry as long as they put out a morally irresponsible product”, it became “Christians don’t go to movies.” People were judged holy by how many of the rules they kept, and forgot the principles behind the rules.

We’ve probably gone to the other extreme today. There are a few industries in our society that could use a group boycott or two. But we got so burnt out on rules, that it’s become taboo to even talk about them.

That’s what happens when we make a set of rules meant to signify God’s love into a graven image.

During this time of year, it’s important we take a look at the rules we are choosing to live by. In my case, I could use a few more rules guiding my behavior. It is essential, however, that we learn from the stories of God’s word, and love the God of the rules, rather than the rules.