The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew - Jesus and the Law - Part 2

 

Text: Matthew 5:17-18 – ““Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

We started a study yesterday about Jesus and His relationship to the Law. Today, let us consider the Redeemer and the Law.

Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Too many people believe that the New Testament stands alone without the Old Testament – however, they go together like a hand in a glove. The Old Testament gives us Jesus concealed – and the New Testament gives us Jesus revealed. It takes knowledge of the Old Testament to be able to interpret the New Testament correctly.

There are different interpretations of what part of the Law Jesus was speaking about. There are two sections of the Old Testament Law – the Ceremonial and Moral law. Some want to say that Jesus came to fulfill the ceremonial, but we must keep the Moral Law. The ceremonial requirements are removed, but we must keep the moral law. Others believe that He fulfilled both the ceremonial and moral law, and thus we have no need for the Old Testament.

Looking closely at this passage and considering the audience (Jews) He was speaking too, it is apparent that He was referring to both parts of the Law. When the Jews speak of their Scriptures, it is referred to as the Law and the Prophets. So, judging by the audience, Jesus was obviously referring to the entire Old Testament.

The Greek word translated “to destroy,” (katalysai) means to abolish or remove, or to render useless. Likewise, the Greek word translated “to fulfill” (plarosai) – means to complete, to carry into effect. So, Jesus Himself states that He did not come to make the Law useless or to remove it – in other words – it is still in effect. He says He came to complete the Law, to carry it to completion. What is that completion? It is that the Judgment of God for sin was death (Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23). So, the basis of the Gospel is that you and I are sinners who are destined for an eternal Hell separated from God.

But God (I love that phrase in the Bible), had a plan to purchase our Redemption – and that was the Death of Jesus on the Cross. He completed our sentence of death – that we might live.

Jesus emphasized the truth that the Old Testament Law was still in effect when He said “one jot” (iota) – which is the smallest Hebrew letter and “one tittle” (Kerala) – a small hook (,) that distinguishes some letters from others in the Hebrew words would stay in effect until the New Creation,  so that the Law has the value that it was intended for.

The question then becomes, “When is the Law fulfilled?” When we move into the Eternal Ages. It will no longer be needed.

Tomorrow, let us consider the Redeemed and the Law.