Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash
“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.“ (Matt 5:17 NIV84) [see these verses in their context below]
Introduction to Redefining and Fulfilling God’s Law
All humans tend to resist or outright rebel against the law—any law or rule. Some people are more inclined to try to keep the law but still have an innate resistance within them. This resistance or rebellion is embedded in our nature. It’s called selfishness.
Where does it come from? We inherited it from our first ancestors Adam and Eve. I’ve shared on this before so I won’t take time to explain it here, but we tend to shift blame and responsibility onto others to make ourselves look good or better than we are.
And yet, we all tend towards some form of legalism—some attempt to justify ourselves before God and others. We do this by trying to maintain a morally upright life by our own effort and merits. This leads to some form of self-righteousness—a false sense of righteousness.
So, what does any of this have to do with the Sermon on the Mount? A lot!
Once Jesus establishes what the nature of God’s Kingdom is and who its citizens are with the Beatitudes and declarations of being the salt and light of the earth, He begins to redefine the original intent of the Mosaic Law and how it is fulfilled.
Insights
Let’s consider why it was necessary for Jesus to redefine the Law. Most Christian believers think of the Law—the Mosaic Law or Law of Moses—as the commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai and summed up in the Ten Commandments found in Exodus and Deuteronomy (Exo 20:1-17; Deut 5:6-21).
Moses received the Law through the intermediary ministry of angels (Acts 7:28, 53; Gal 3:19; Heb 2:2). The specifics of the Law are given in the book of Leviticus and repeated for a new generation in Deuteronomy and are the basis for the Old Covenant (Testament).
The nation of Israel’s relationship with God was based on the Old Covenant. The Law provided guidance for life, relationships, and worship so Israel would be an example to other nations of a people who worshipped the One, True, and Living God.
The Ten Commandments are a general summary of the Law but Jesus summarized them further into two primary commandments to love God with all we are and our neighbor as ourselves (Matt 22:37-40). When Jesus refers to the Law (Torah) He quotes out of the book of Deuteronomy more than any other Old Testament book.
Over the centuries, reaching back to the Babylonian Captivity, various rabbis added their own interpretations and traditions as a way of explaining the Law for everyday life. But these commentaries expanded on the original intent of the Law to be more contemporary.
Along the way, many of these commentaries and interpretations added ways of skirting the demands of the Law to provide a less-stringent way of keeping the Law. This is what Jesus addresses in this next portion of the Sermon on the Mount.
Redefining and Fulfilling God’s Law
Jesus redefines the Law from the traditions of the Mishnah and Talmud back to God’s original intent of the Law when given to Moses. Again, the Law was given to Israel so their lives and worship would be in contrast to other nations (people groups) involved in idolatry and the often degrading practices of their worship of many gods.
Jesus gives a much simpler explanation of the basics of the Law and its direct impact on relationships. Jesus also makes clear He will not abolish or destroy the Law but fulfill it.
When He says this, Jesus is preparing the way for a new relationship with God—a New Covenant—based on grace not human effort to keep the Law of God.
This New Covenant was specifically foretold by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 36:26-27). But this was only established when Jesus offered Himself as a final atoning sacrifice upon the cross and by His resurrection from the dead.
Through His life and ministry on earth and in offering Himself up as the Lamb of God, Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law—once for all (Luke 22:14-20; Heb 7:23-27; 8:6, 13; 9:15).
Jesus came to fulfill all of the Law’s requirements to bring eternal freedom and forgiveness for those who trust in God through faith.
Reflection—
We all resist or outright rebel against laws and rules because of selfishness. And yet, we try to justify and rationalize our behavior and decisions in life to make ourselves look good or better than others. Only Jesus can set us free from all of that.
Prayer Focus—
When you find yourself in conflict with your conscience and what you know is right and good and what God desires for you, seek the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to show you how to live in the freedom of His forgiveness and grace.
Devo Scripture Text
“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.
I tell you the truth, 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. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same 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 NIV84)