Jesus…the Fulfillment of the Law

Jesus…the Fulfillment of the Law

Matthew 5:17-18  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

From early on in Jesus’ ministry, he had representatives (spies) from the Jewish religious hierarchy following him everywhere he went (Matt 9:24, Matt 12:2, Matt 12:24, Matt 12:38, Matt. 15:1, Matt. 16:1).  Their purpose was simple:  To Destroy Jesus.

Matthew 12:14  Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 

When political scandals arise today, the key questions that always comes to the forefront are:  What did they know and when did they know it.  The fact is, the Pharisees, Scribes and others of the Religious leaders feared Jesus.  They feared Jesus would take away their political power.  From the time he was born (Matt 2:2) to the cruel death on the cross (Matt 27:37), Jesus was known to some as King of the Jews.  This knowledge may have been well know by the Jewish scholars because it was prophesied, years in advance (Isa 9:6-7).  What did they know and when did they know it?  Did they fear him simply as a rival – or did they fear him because they knew :

1.  Who he was (The Son of God and THE Messiah)

2.  What his mission was

3.  What that ultimately meant to their ‘Power’ and influence over the people

Jesus understood this fear and he addressed it in the Sermon on the Mount.  Notice how he starts off.

Matthew 5:17-18  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy…

On more than one occasion, Jesus was accused of being a blasphemer or worse…an agent of Satan.  But Jesus reassures those listening that his mission was not the destruction of the Law.  The word destroy or destruction is defined as:  Damaging beyond repair.  You see, the Jews were looking for A messiah.  But not THE Messiah!  They had in their mind a strong military and political figure (Like King David) that would lead then to freedom from the Romans and maybe even where they ruled the world.  It was never intended by Jesus to destroy (damage beyond repair) the Law of Moses, but…

Matthew 5:17-18  …I am not come to destroy, but to Fulfill.

Jesus’ mission was not to destroy the law of Moses, but he was bringing it to and end nonetheless.  And that, I think, is what the Pharisees and Scribed feared so much.  Fulfilling the Law would bring it to and end all the same.  The Bible tells us that the Law was only temporary in its inception for the purpose of preparing the way for the Law of Christ (Galatians 3:24).  The Law was NEVER intended to be the end game, but only the means to the real end.  The book of Hebrews makes the argument that the Law of Christ is superior to the Law of Moses (Hebrews 7:19, Hebrews 7:22, Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 9:23) .

We should all be thankful, that Jesus came and nailed the Old Law to the cross, taking it out of the way, that we might have a Better covenant with our Creator (Colossians 2:14)!

Reflecting the SON, 

Dennis Hogan

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com