51. Jesus teaches about the law
– Matthew 5:17-20
Matthew 5:17-18 “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.”
Luke 16:17 “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the law.”
John 19:30 “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
Many people believe that Jesus came to replace the old laws. However, that’s not true. Jesus came to fulfill the laws in the Old Testament. The same God that was in the Old Testament was also with Jesus. In fact, when Jesus lived on earth, he followed the laws of the Old Testament. The Old Testament laws are separated into three categories: ceremonial, civil, and moral. He followed the ceremonial laws. Forty days after he was born, his family did the Jewish sacrifices. Jesus acknowledged the heart behind all of the laws. Jesus also recognized various civil laws. In regards to the Sabbath, Jesus didn’t do manual labor on the Sabbath but he did do God’s works. Jesus helped depict God’s heart behind the Sabbath. It wasn’t simply to rest but also to be refreshed with God’s truths. Lastly, he strongly followed the moral laws. He followed all of the Ten Commandments.
If Jesus followed all of the Old Testament laws, what does it mean for the laws to be fulfilled? How can the laws be changed when “everything is accomplished”? When Jesus died on the cross, he said, “It is finished.” His sacrifice fulfilled the laws. Until this time, a complicated system of sacrifices had to be made for the atonement of someone’s sins. However, we no longer need to make these sacrifices. The sacrifices paved way for Jesus. But, when Jesus was crucified, his death was more than enough for the world’s sins for all eternity. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. Sin can no longer separate us from God. With his death, the complex sacrificial system ended because Jesus took all sin upon himself. Those that believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection can escape the penalty of death. Jesus’ death fulfilled the ceremonial laws so that we no longer have to make sacrifices. We still must abide by the civil and moral laws. However, Jesus’ death did provide us with freedom.
Matthew 5:19 “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.”
It is easier to study God’s laws and tell others to obey them, than to put them into practice. Be careful to not lead others astray with your actions. Put what you believe in into practice. Follow Jesus’ instruction. Don’t simply know God’s commands, but put them into use. In what ways are you obeying God’s commands? In what ways are you neglecting to obey God’s laws?
