Part II:

 A Rebel Without a Cause 

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     “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. ~Matthew 5:17-20 

     "Good shot!"  Charlie exclaimed while giving Reuben a hearty pat on the back. 

     "I'd love to take the credit for it but that wasn't me, that was Jimmy."

     "Really?  Way to go Jimbo!"

     The guys were gathered around the turkey Jim had just taken out.  He was beaming from the excitement of the hunt and the praise they bestowed upon him.

     "You sure you've never gone shooting before?"  Alex asked quite impressed.

     "Never, I just did what Reuben said."

     "The kid has a nac for it," Reuben was proud. "Just don't forget, it was my girls that drew him in."   

     "I'll say, as a cop I regularly visited the shooting range and I don't think I could have taken a better shot."

     "That settles it, you're a natural."  Nick was in agreement with them.  "This calls for a celebration.  Anyone care for a beer?"

     At hearing the word "beer" Charlie's head quickly darted in Nick's direction, "I thought you said you had refreshments in that cooler."

     "I do, the beer is refreshing.  Relax, I didn't forget you.  There's some coke in there."

     "Nick!"

     "Come on Charlie, just because you don't drink doesn't mean I can't."

     "You know it's not that!  It's illegal here, and for good reason.  Do you really want to be hunting in the same forest with a bunch of drunks carrying loaded rifles?"

     "Dude, what drunks?  I just brought a six pack.  I don't think anyone of us is in danger of getting drunk from sharing a six pack."

     "That's not the point...and what makes you think that you are the exception to every rule?  Oh, forget it...go ahead, have your beer but I want no part of it," Charlie then began storming off.

     "Wait a minute. Wait a minute!"  Alex yelled to Charlie who then turned to face him.  "Let's talk about this.  It's illegal?"  

     "Sure is!"  Charlie yelled.

     Alex then looked to Reuben who nodded his head in confirmation.  

     "Niiick?"

     "Oh, come on guys, it's just a beer," Reuben interjected. 

     "Guys, It's not just about the beer.  You know I rarely drink yet I don't have any problems kicking back with a nice, cool, refreshing beer when the mood hits me.  In fact, I could enjoy one now, but it's against the law and I believe in the law and swore to uphold the law.  I arrested others for breaking the law.  You know how I feel about hypocrisy.  How can I with good conscience break the law myself?"

     "Exactly!" Charlie exclaimed. "It's not just about the beer.  I choose not to drink but I don't force my preferences on others.  You know I have never had a problem with you drinking Nick but you always do this, you only think of yourself."

     "Oh, that's not fair Charlie.  How can you say that?  You know how I put myself out there for others.  Why do you think I overslept today?  I was up half the night with Eric who needed to talk to someone about the problems he's been having with his girl." 

     Seeing the truth in what he shared Charlie then said, "You're right, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean it like that.  What I meant was that when it comes to doing what you want you have a tendency to only think of yourself.  Laws have been put in place in society for the good of all and while we live in a society we need to abide by those laws."

     "But it's just a six pack and I did think of others, I'm sharing.  In the bible Jesus broke the law, and the law appointed by Father.  Jesus wasn't ruled by laws." 

     "No Nick," Alex interjected.  "Jesus didn't break the law.  Jesus Himself said he didn't come to abolish the law...Father's laws weren't created for Jesus, or a life lived in Him, yet they are a reflection of Father's heart so He did abide by them.  You're right to say He wasn't ruled by laws but neither did He break them.  When he did something contrary to the literal interpretation of Father's law, for the greater good, he wasn't breaking it as it was meant to be.  Those that accused him of doing so had a faulty application and interpretation of it.  You could say he broke the literal interpretation, but as Father's Heart in the flesh He was above the letter of the law and that's a whole different ball game."

     "So Jesus lives in me that makes me above the law,"  Nick continued.

     "Forget it Alex," Charlie said in exasperation.  "He doesn't get it."  He then stormed off.

     Alex then turned to the others.  "Listen, I didn't come here to spoil anyone's fun, but I can't be a part of it either.  I'm going to catch up with him and talk to him.  While we are gone I would suggest that you all dispose of the beer before we all find ourselves in trouble with the law."  He then ran off after Charlie.

     "Oh man, I hate when he does that," Nick grieved.  "Even if I did have a beer I couldn't enjoy it now knowing how upset he is," then turning in their direction he yelled, "Hey Charlie, wait up!" and ran after him too.

     Meanwhile, Reuben and Jim were left standing there with the dead turkey and the cooler. 

     "Shall we dispose of it?"  Jim asked.

     "Yea, we better."  Reuben then lifted the top of the cooler and stood there for a moment looking at the beer.  "Michelob, good beer."  After another moment of brief contemplation he then grabbed one, opened it and took a sip.  "Oh man, this is good.  I don't drink much anymore either, and beyond the ocassional bottle of wine Maria and I have with dinner we don't keep liquor in the house, especially with the kids around." 

     "Reuben, I thought we were going to dispose of the beer?"

     "I know, I know...I just haven't had one of these in a long time.  It's smooth.  Besides, I would say this counts as disposing of it...just one beer."

     "Well if you're going to have one then I'm going to have one too.  I can't let you go to hell by yourself."

     Reuben laughed.  "You know, you're pretty funny when you're not angry."

     "Nobody is funny when they're angry."

     "I'll drink to that."

Part III:  The Importance of, "In the Beginning..."