Mushing – Should we go “Beyond the Written Rule”?

 Hebraic Mushing – Should we go “Beyond the Written Rule”?

My aviation friend* shared “In an intense dream this week, repeating a similar one a week earlier, I revisited a five-year trial that resolved in our favor six years ago.  I woke pondering a comment from a former regulatory overseer who lamented that the FAA had shifted from prioritizing safety to box-checking to achieve a “Gotcha.”  This was a startling admission, though to me an unsurprising conclusion.” 

How might that apply to our journey with Jesus?

Jesus dealt with the best of the best of box-checkers.  He confronted the Pharisees, calling out their willingness to “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel” Matthew 23:24 NIV.  Jesus obliterated their stronghold of prideful comparisons in Luke 18:9-14 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The Pharisees are easy targets for us, yet our judgment of them is sometimes Pharisaical itself. How easy it is to fall into the trap of “at least I am not one of them.”

In his aviation career (or in any career), we were careful to comply with the regulations and our approved programs.  Of course, we wanted to avoid a “Gotcha,” but more importantly, we were committed to safety.  We were further committed to respecting our authorities and held our relationship with them as a core value.

Whether an air operator or a regulator overseeing one, or a believer trying to please God, the box-checking trap is set with deadly consequences.  The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6 NIV.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom  2 Cor 3:17 NIV.   Through Christ Jesus, we move beyond the written rule into the realm of the Spirit, who gives life and freedom. Amen!

Jesus warned us. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24   And there are more than 20 more references telling us to – work at it with all your heart for the Lord, not for men,”  

 Point to ponder

In how many ways are do we become “box-checkers” in our service to the LORD?

Do we worship the Lord with known prayers, or with our hearts?

Has going to church become a routine?

Do we love our neighbor because we were told to? 

Who is your neighbor?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” Colosians:3:23

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                        April 28, 2026
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

* – Inspired by Mark Sterns’ “Tues w/ Papa_50 Beyond the Written Rule”