The Law Is The Law Is The Law

[ShuutokuTentei]

The Law Is The Law Is The Law

Once upon a time in a land not so far away lived a holy man. Now
this holy man was very powerful and had a lot of political
connections. Those political connections brought him opportunity for
health, wealth, position, and authority. So much so that even his
five sons, and one son in law, had the opportunity to become holy
men. One of his most important concerns was that no one break any of
six hundred thirteen laws. Some of those laws by today’s standards
seem pretty superfluous; To honor the old and wise. To recite grace
after every meal. Not to carry tales. Not to bear a grudge. To love
a stranger. Not to swear needlessly. Not to break a vow. Not to
curse a judge. A man shall not wear a woman’s clothing nor shall a
woman wear a mans clothing. Not to tattoo the body. Hmmm … That’s
ten laws only six hundred and three to go.
To break any of the six hundred thirteen laws was consequential,
leaving some embattled with a strained, or no, relationship with God,
some with a strained relationship with man, some with a strained
relationship with both man and God. The chances of anyone getting
through life, let alone the day, without breaking one of the six
hundred and thirteen laws was virtually impossible. Obviously none of
we would ever consider bearing a grudge, swearing needlessly, or break
a vow. Right? And get a tattoo, forget it! Now don’t take the
notion that I find this holy man wanting because he felt compelled to
enforce the law. After all, the law is the law is the law. Simply
nothing to lose your head over. As well, seemingly, the holy man was
always in a tough spot. He constantly had to report to his earthly
superior(s), his heavenly superior, and to the people.
Then one day this most unique of all men came riding into town.
Who was this man who had radical new ideas about the way things should
be? Who was this man who said the law is the law is the law but? Who
was this man who was seen with prostitutes? Who was this man who
talked and commiserated with tax collectors? Who was this man who
touched people with dread diseases? Who was this man who said we
should take care of each other? Who was this man who refused to
condemn people for breaking a vow, bearing a grudge, carrying tales,
wearing inappropriate clothing? Who was this man who put people first
and money second? Just who was this man, and just what did he think
he was doing? How dare he! As far a few were concerned, he could
just ride straight out of town, do not look left, do not pass go, just
keep going straight and not look back. Who was this man who refused
to leave? No matter they had him killed! End of story.
Well, not quite. In spite of all the controversy, this man knew
exactly what he was doing, and he told people so before he did it.
The notion that those he told thought he was out of his mind did not
deter him. He went about setting his plan in motion as if he got the
plan directly from God. Some thought him arrogant. Some thought him
over confident. Some thought him nuts. Many asked him what he
expected to accomplish? He told them; I will bring your freedom.
Conversely, they asked of this man at what cost? He replied … It’s
all on me!
I realize how hard it is today to rationalize that any person
would sacrifice themselves for those he did not even know. None the
less it does not make it any less so. The fact is he did know
everyone. Herein lay the mystery of the murder. You see the man they
killed was God.

ShuutokuTentei
RS 2010