Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law

Remember John 19:30: "IT IS FINISHED."

JESUS SUFFERED TREMENDOUSLY AND DIED ON THE CROSS TO FULFILL THE LAW (Old Testament), HENCE HIS LAST WORDS ON EARTH.

Matthew 5:17 states that, " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

 

In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus clarifies his relationship to the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament, stating that he did not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. He emphasizes that even the smallest details of the Law will remain valid until everything is accomplished. Furthermore, Jesus asserts that true righteousness, necessary for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. 

 

Key points of Matthew 5:17-20:

 

  • Fulfillment, not abolition: Jesus declares that he is not here to destroy or abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. This means he is not negating the Old Testament, but rather bringing its purpose and prophecies to completion. 
 
  • Permanence of the Law: He affirms that the Law, even down to the smallest details, will remain in effect until everything is fulfilled, meaning until God's plan is fully accomplished. 
 
  • Righteousness exceeding the Pharisees': Jesus challenges his followers to attain a righteousness that goes beyond the outward observance of the Law practiced by the scribes and Pharisees, emphasizing inner transformation and a deeper understanding of God's commands. 
 
  • Entering the Kingdom: He links this superior righteousness to the possibility of entering the Kingdom of Heaven, highlighting the need for a genuine and transformative relationship with God, not just a superficial adherence to religious rules. 

 

Christians believe that Jesus established a "new covenant" with God, distinct from the Old Covenant established through Moses. This new covenant, also known as the New Testament, is understood to be fulfilled through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection, offering forgiveness of sins and a restored relationship with God. 

More Info:

 

  • Old Covenant: The Old Covenant, primarily found in the Old Testament, was based on the Law of Moses and required adherence to specific rituals and laws for maintaining a relationship with God. 
 
  • New Covenant: The New Covenant, as described in the New Testament, is based on faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice. It emphasizes a personal relationship with God through Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 
 
  • Fulfillment in Jesus: Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant, and his death on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice that fulfills the requirements of the Old Covenant. 
 
  • Key Differences: The New Covenant is seen as superior to the Old Covenant because it offers forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith, rather than through adherence to a set of laws and rituals. 
 
  • Biblical Basis: The concept of the New Covenant is found in the Old Testament prophets, like Jeremiah, and is further developed in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Hebrews, according to religious scholars. 

 

In the context of Jesus's teachings, "fulfilling the law" means more than simply obeying the rules of the Mosaic Law. It signifies bringing the law to its intended purpose and ultimate expression, both through his perfect obedience to it and through his sacrifice on the cross. It also points to the law's ultimate fulfillment in Christ's teachings about love, grace, and righteousness. 

 

1. Completing the Law's Purpose:

 

  • The Mosaic Law, given through Moses, was intended to guide Israel towards God and point towards the coming Messiah.
  • Jesus, by living a sinless life and fulfilling all the requirements of the law, brought the law to its intended completion and revealed its true purpose.
  • He didn't abolish the law but rather revealed its deeper meaning and brought it to its fullest expression. 
     

 

2. Perfect Obedience:

 

  • The law revealed humanity's inability to perfectly obey God's commands.
  • Jesus, as the perfect Son of God, lived a life of complete obedience to the law, demonstrating what it truly means to fulfill God's will.
  • His perfect obedience satisfies the righteous requirements of the law. 
     

 

3. The Law's Ultimate Expression in Love:

 

  • Jesus emphasized that the essence of the law is love – love for God and love for others.
  • He summarized the law in the commands to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
  • This love, exemplified by Jesus, is the ultimate fulfillment of the law's purpose. 
     

 

4. Freedom from the Law's Curse:

 

  • Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for humanity's sins, breaking the curse of the law.
  • Believers are no longer condemned by the law but are freed to live in grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey God's law out of love. 
     
In essence, fulfilling the law means that Jesus perfectly obeyed the law, revealed its true meaning, and provided a way for believers to be freed from its curse and live in accordance with its spirit through faith and love, according to Christianity Today. 

 

 

What about the 10 Commandments?

 

Jesus upheld the Ten Commandments, emphasizing their deeper spiritual meaning and the importance of love as the foundation for fulfilling them. He affirmed that the law was not abolished, but rather fulfilled and given new relevance through his teachings and example. 

 

 

  • Jesus affirmed the Ten Commandments:.In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, "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" (Matthew 5:17). He clarified that the commandments remain relevant and binding, but He also emphasized their deeper spiritual meaning. 

 

  • Love as the core of the law: .Jesus highlighted that love is the essence of the Ten Commandments. When asked about the greatest commandment, He summarized them into two: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-40). 
 

 

  • Fulfilling the law through love: .Jesus' teachings emphasized that obedience to the commandments should be motivated by love for God and others. He called for a righteousness that goes beyond mere outward adherence to the law, urging believers to cultivate a heart that reflects God's love. 
 
  • Deeper interpretation of the commandments: .Jesus expanded on the meaning of some commandments, showing that true obedience involves more than just avoiding outward actions. For example, he clarified that not only is murder forbidden, but also anger and hatred towards others (Matthew 5:21-22). Similarly, he taught that adultery involves not just the physical act, but also lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28). 

Where can I find the 10 Commandments in the New Testament then? 

  1. Do not worship any other gods (1 Corinthians 8:6 states, "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.")
  2. Do not make idols (1 John 5:21 states, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.")
  3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord (1 Timothy 6:1 states, "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.")
  4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy (Hebrews 4:9-11 states, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.")
  5. Honor your father and your mother (Ephesians 6:1-2 states, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;")
  6. Do not murder (1 Peter 4:15 states, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.")
  7. Do not commit adultery (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 states, "9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
  8. Do not steal ( Ephesians 4:28 states, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.")
  9. Do not give false testimony ( Revelation 21:8  states, " But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.")
  10. Do not covet ( Colossians 3:5  states, "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:")

So you see that we cannot live a sinless life, as we are not capable.  That is why Jesus came, suffered, and died on the cross for us.  He took the weight of sin from us.  It means that we have been freed from sin, not free to sin.