Rendezvous With God

Question 2 – Continuing with the NT Questions. I will not post the questions as they are not my work to publish, but…I hope you enjoy reading my answers.

In Matthew 5, we have a perplexing statement by Jesus, “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.” This statement, might not have been perplexing to the average Jew in Jesus’ time, as every good Jew was trying to fulfill the law. However, with any knowledge of the Old Testament law, it becomes clear for our 21st century audience that carrying out a good deal of the commands in the law is out of the ordinary and near impossible.

Has the law been abolished by our doing or not doing?

Are we failing to fully live out the law thus sinning everytime we do not do what the law says?

What is the law?

Let’s be clear, the Greek word “Nomos” — law, is referring to the Pentateuch, meaning the entirety of the Old Testament. Yet, the law has traditionally been referred to as the Torah, or the first five books of the Old Testament where the bulk of the law is given by God through Moses to the Hebrews. These laws made it clear how a person is to live and be “right” in the sight of God. There are 613 laws in the Torah. These laws, called the Mitzvot, comprised the 10 commandments and others from circumcision to not eating kernels of grapes. A large portion of these laws explain in detail how and what is to be done with sacrificial animals. Some laws are meant as a means of cleanliness and cultivation and show how people are to live a practical better life. Some laws were cultural, having much to do with the Hebrews and their life in the promise land.

Today, most of the laws are all but forgotten. Pulled out mostly by those wishing to keep others from getting tattoos or earrings. Today, the law is never followed in its entirety even by the most conservative Jew as the practice of animal sacrifice is no longer in practice.

So what does Jesus mean by not coming to abolish the law? Why then do so many Christians ignore these laws?

When Jesus says he has come to fufill the law he means just that, to complete them, to “give them their full meaning” as one translation says. Because a large portion of these laws deals with sacrificial animals then it would makes sense, as Jesus is the substitutionary sacrificial animal, there is no need for these laws. His fufillment is both finished and yet continuing to be fulfilled as atonement covers those sins we have yet to even commit. He lived the life of a perfect Jew. Practicing the Mitzvot in every area of His life. So, as Christians as we seek to live as Christ would. We are taking up the task of fulfilling the Mitzvot in our own lives. Also, the law serves as a reminder of our need for God. We can’t live out the law perfectly as Christ did. However we can trust that the Holy Spirit can help us live as Christ lived. The law serves as a constant reminder of what Christ did and what Christ continues to do.