“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
Understanding Jesus’ Purpose
When we think about Jesus fulfilling the law, it is crucial for us to recognize his purpose on Earth. Jesus came as a part of God’s plan to bring redemption to humanity. He didn’t just come to eliminate the commands given in the Old Testament, but instead, he came to complete them. This reality opens our eyes to why Jesus was so pivotal in the narrative of the Bible. Our relationship with the law is intertwined with understanding who Jesus is and why he came. By embracing Jesus, we embrace the law’s true meaning, allowing it to point us towards our need for a savior and the grace he offers.
Matthew 5:17
“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
Romans 10:4
“Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4
Hebrews 10:1
“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.” – Hebrews 10:1
Galatians 3:24
“So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” – Galatians 3:24
John 1:17
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17
Jesus as the Fulfillment of Prophecies
As we study Jesus and his fulfillment of the law, it leads us to appreciate the many prophecies that pointed towards him. The Old Testament is filled with messages and hints about a coming savior, and Jesus, through his life and actions, made those promises real. For us, this means that God is faithful to his word. The assurance that these prophecies have been fulfilled gives us hope and strengthens our faith. We can trust in God’s promises, not only concerning Jesus but also in our lives.
Matthew 1:22-23
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).” – Matthew 1:22-23
Luke 4:21
“He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” – Luke 4:21
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” – Micah 5:2
Zachariah 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zachariah 9:9
The Law and Grace
The relationship between the law and grace is a beautiful aspect of Jesus fulfilling the law. We understand that the law serves a purpose in highlighting our sinfulness, but grace offers us freedom from condemnation. This balance is something Jesus fully represents. He came to set us free from the burden of following the law perfectly because he did it on our behalf. We are reminded that through Jesus, we are not just following rules; we are living in relationship with our Savior. His grace transforms our hearts, pointing us to love rather than rules.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 3:20-21
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.” – Romans 3:20-21
Galatians 5:18
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” – Galatians 5:18
Romans 8:1-2
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2
Colossians 2:14
“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:14
The Call to Live Righteously
While we acknowledge Jesus’s role in fulfilling the law, we are also called to live according to righteousness. Jesus’ life serves as an example for us to follow. Through him, we are encouraged to exhibit the love and compassion reflected in God’s commands. Living righteously is not just about avoiding sin, but actively pursuing a life that reflects God’s goodness and grace to others. Our actions should align with the teachings of Jesus, displaying kindness, forgiveness, and charity to fulfill the true intent of the law.
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22
1 John 2:6
“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:6
Colossians 3:12-14
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:12-14
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
Grace Through Faith
Our relationship with Jesus fulfilling the law emphasizes the importance of faith in our journey. It is through faith in Christ that we can experience grace and truly embrace the freedom he provides. Realizing that the law highlighted our limitations allows us to appreciate the grace that was poured out for us on the cross. Faith is not just about belief but trusting in Jesus to guide and sustain us as we live out our lives for Him.
Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
Romans 5:1-2
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 5:1-2
Galatians 2:16
“Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” – Galatians 2:16
Philippians 3:9
“And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” – Philippians 3:9
2 Peter 1:5-7
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” – 2 Peter 1:5-7
Living Under a New Covenant
The new covenant established by Jesus is a pivotal part of him fulfilling the law. The old way was steeped in rules and rituals, while the new covenant is about relationships. Through Jesus, we experience a personal bond with God that transforms our hearts and lives. Embracing this new covenant means we are no longer trying to attain righteousness through our efforts but accepting the righteousness Jesus offers us. This change helps us live out our faith more freely and joyfully.
Hebrews 8:13
“By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” – Hebrews 8:13
Matthew 26:28
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:28
Luke 22:20
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” – Luke 22:20
Jeremiah 31:33
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” – Jeremiah 31:33
Romans 6:14
“For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace.” – Romans 6:14
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on Jesus fulfilling the law, we see a picture of hope and grace. His life was not just an example, but the very fulfillment of God’s promises to us. We have gathered insights about understanding Jesus’ purpose and living righteously under grace. Emphasizing faith, we learn that maintaining a relationship with Jesus supersedes merely following rules. By entering into a new covenant, we are given freedom and access to God. The once heavy weight of the law is now lifted by his grace, allowing us to shine collaboratively as lights in the world.
I encourage each of us to embrace this message. Let it encourage us to live openly and compassionately with those around us. During our times of struggle, let us remember the importance of grace and the call to faith that’s intimately tied to Jesus’ fulfillment of the law. For deeper insights, feel free to visit resources on the topic of fulfillment in God or explore the concept of freedom from the law.