Radically Happy

A Max Lucado-Style Reflection on Jesus’ Use of “My” vs “The” Commandments

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The law said, “Do,” and drew the line,
Stone-cold rules in ancient time.
But then came Christ, with eyes like flame,
And whispered, “Love—in My name.”

The commandments told us what to fear,
But His commands draw us near.
Not thunder now, nor Sinai’s blaze,
But pierced hands stretched in grace.

So trade the stone for Spirit’s breath,
From rule-bound life to love past death.
No longer slaves who strive and try—
But friends who walk with El Shaddai.

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“The commandments tell us what to do.
My commandments tell you whose you are.”

The law draws the lines.
But love draws us in.

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References

“The Commandments” – Mosaic Law

• Matthew 19:17–19
  “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments… You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery…”
• Mark 10:19
  “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery…’”
• Luke 18:20
  “You know the commandments…”

“My Commandments” – Christ’s Authority

• John 13:34
  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
• John 14:15
  “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
• John 14:21
  “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.”
• John 15:10
  “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…”
• 1 John 2:3–4
  “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commandments.”
• 1 John 3:23
  “And this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another…”