Jesus Fulfills the Law and Prophets
Jesus was often misunderstood. In Matthew 5:17 he clarifies twice his purpose.
Matthew 5:17 NLT
[17] "Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose."
Jesus fulfills the law and prophets.
How did Jesus fulfill the law and prophets?
1. Jesus fulfilled the predictions of the Messiah
Scholars think there are 300–350 predictions of the Messiah
Predictions of birth
- born in Bethlehem
- family line of David
- announced by a star
- born of a virgin
Predictions of life
- live in Egypt for a time
- a light in Galilee
- speak in parables
- perform miracles
Predictions of death
- sold for 30 pieces of silver
- accused falsely
- weak and helpless
- hands and feet would be pierced
- garments divided by lots cast
- gall and vinegar to drink
- bones not broken
- sides pierced
- buried in a rich man's tomb
Isaiah 53:3-5 NLT
[3] He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. [4] Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! [5] But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53 was skipped over in Jewish studies for a while, because it so clearly describes Jesus.
2. Jesus was the image of foreshadowing from the Old Testament
People
- Abraham and Isaac - sacrificing a son
- Jonah - was in the belly of the fish for 3 days
Pictures
- Moses' bronze serpent - a picture of Jesus redeeming us from the law
- manna - Jesus is the bread of life
Practices
- Passover lamb - Jesus is the lamb, sacrificed on our behalf
- circumcision - putting off desires of the flesh
- sabbath - rest
3. Jesus fulfills covenants of the OT
Jeremiah 31:31-34 NLT
[31] “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. [32] This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. [33] "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days," says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
Jesus is instituting a new era, governed by the spirit. A new covenant agreement. He is giving the law its fulfillment.
Matthew 5:18 NLT
[18] I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.
Jesus is affirming the Old Testament. He affirms the integrity, perseverance, and value of the OT.
How do we know the scriptures we have are the same as what Jesus read? How can we be sure they have not been changed over time?
The Dead Sea Scrolls
There was a significant archaeological discovery in mid 19th century. A shepherd boy found ancient papyrus dated to 200-100 B.C. These manuscripts were 1000 years older than what we had before. Found everything except for the book of Esther. Found no major discrepancies in the scriptures.
Psalms 19:7-8 NLT
[7] The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. [8] The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.
In this new era, how do we best interpret and understand the law?
Generally, the law fell into one of three categories:
- Ceremonial - worship
- Civil - government
- Moral
We should each come to our own decision on the laws which do not have a clear interpretation, as discussed in Romans 14 below:
Romans 14:5-6 NLT
'In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. '
Matthew 5:19-22 NLT
[19] So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. [20] "But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!" [21] "You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ [22] But I say..."
Jesus is placing himself as the new Moses when he says, "You have heard... But I say...". Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at the these statements that encompass the rest of chapter 5.
Jesus was calling attention to our inability to fulfill the law. He is not pointing to a works-based religion. This inability highlights our need for propitiation.
Propitiation - satisfaction or appeasement of God. Related to wrath, but also denotes reconciliation.
Jesus clarifies God's standard of perfection and our need for propitiation.
Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Relationship with God has always been by faith. This is not only a new thing in the New Testament. Also, this is what distinguishes Christianity from other religions.
Matthew 5:17-18 NLT
[17] "Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. [18] I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved."
Jesus was also talking about the future. He is highlighting that he is coming back. He will finish what he has started.
God has not yet accomplished all that he intends to do.
We should not abolish the law in our own hearts. We should not set aside his commands. We can trust that God loves us. He wants us to have a joyful, abundant life. A life of value.