Village Schools of the Bible

WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT THE LAW?
Matthew 5:17-19

In our two previous studies, we have spent considerable time seeking to understand what the average Jew on the street in the days of Jesus would have understood when he heard the word law used in this sermon by Jesus. So, what did Jesus have to say?

Jesus said that He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. Jesus came to bring out the real meaning of the law. First of all, He accomplished this through His life and teaching. Paul wrote these words to the believers in the churches of Galatia, But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4).

What did Jesus teach about the law? Let us read once again verse 18: 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. This verse tells me three great truths. First, Jesus declared that His teaching was absolute, for He declared to His disciples, “I tell you the truth.” Secondly, He declared that His teaching was permanent, that they would endure until heaven and earth had passed away. Finally, He declared His teaching was timeless, that His words would not disappear. The teachings of Jesus are important for every person in every age in every culture of the world because they are eternally true.

Listen to what Jesus is saying. If you follow Me, then you will be following the eternal principles of the Law, for I have come to bring meaning to those principles. Friends, really the remaining verses of the Sermon on the Mount are Jesus’ proclamation of His embodiment of the Law. It behooves us then to live according to those principles which Jesus has taught us. As verse 19 proclaims, there are eternal consequences for failure to heed those principles, as well as blessing for those who do practice them.

Our Father in heaven, I want to thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank You that He came to earth to live out the law and to fulfill its demands so that we might be set free to live for You. Thank You that Your Word is eternally true and that those truths can impact our lives today. Help us to hunger and thirst for Your Word each day so that we might know Your will. We pray this in Your Son’s name. Amen.

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