Fulfilling the law and the phrophets

Why did He say this

So that no one thought he was teaching a new law or the modifying the old but is rather explaining the true significance of Moses law and rest of the OT

Also so no one could say He’s trying to be rid of The law as the pharisees tried to blame Him for.

Matthew 5:19 “Therefore whoever relaxes 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 does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

The law was meant to be kept and fulfilled

The purpose of the Law

The law was given to the Israelites (Gods chosen people), for a purpose and consisted of over 600 laws and consisted of three parts: The Ten Commandments, the ordinances, and the worship system which included the priesthood, the tabernacle, the offerings and the festivals. It was to accomplish the following

Reveal the holy character of the eternal God to the nation of Israel Lev 19:2 , 20: 7-8

Set apart the nation of Israel from all other nations Exo 19:5

Reveal the sinfulness of man Galatians 3:19, Romans 7:12 tells us that the law is good, but it don’t provide salvation, but rather it condemns. Romans 3:20“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”

Provide forgiveness through the sacrifice/offerings for people who had faith in the Lord Lev 1-7

A way to worship for the nation through yearly feasts Lev 23

Provide Gods direction for the physical and spiritual health of the nation

Reveal to all that no one can keep this law and all fall short of Gods standard of holiness Rom 3:23

Hebrews 10:1 “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.”

The purpose of the Prophets

The prophets in the old testament for spoke the Word of God. They communicated between God and His people and the rest of the world. They fortold of judgements coming upon Gods people and also the coming of the messiah.

Jesus fulfilled all that the prophets predicted that the saviour would fulfill. We constantly see throughout scripture were it says “so that scripture would be fulfilled”

Jesus said in Mathew He would fulfill the prophets and He did. Over 300

How did Jesus fulfill each part of the Law

What He did do: Jesus says that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. In other words, Jesus’ purpose was to establish the Word, to embody it, and to fully accomplish all that was written. “Christ is the culmination of the law” (Romans 10:4).

He was a teacher and a doer. He taught it and He obeyed it himself

The ceremonial- all the sacrifices and offerings were set as a payment for the sins of the people. Hebrews 10:1 “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” So by His death He was the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sins Hebrews 10:8–10 “When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Colossians 2:14 “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”

The ceremonial law was to provide a way to worship through the yearly festivals . Jesus said in John 4:23–24 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” This is not done away with but is fulfilled and accomplished through Christ.

The Samaritan worshipped half-heartidly because their hearts were not set fully on God. They were tainted with sin. No one can approach God with sinfulness. For those who believe have been redeemed and washed clean by the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 4:15–16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

With a new heart and the Holy spirit also called the Spirit of Truth indwelling in each believer, guided by His Holy Word which called the Word of Truth we can know come to God and worship as His Word says.

The moral law- This law, also based on Gods holy nature, was given so that people would know, how to conduct themselves to one another. It doesn’t point them to Christ but it illuminates the fallen state of all mankind

Jesus lived in perfect obedience thus yielding perfectly to the law which we could have never done but then also paying the penalty for disobedience to the law which we also never could have done. In doing this He fulled Isaiah 42:21 “The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious.”

Should we still keep the law

Some say since He did not abolish it, it should be kept. Some say we should keep part of it. Which is true or is both true.

James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”

Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Do annul the law? No Paul said Romans 3:31 “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.”

Since we are no longer under the law because we believer what now? Paul tells us Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 9:21 “To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.”

So what is the law of Christ? Most understand it to be Mark 12:28–31 “And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The Word also tells us Mark 12:32–33 “And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

The Mosaic law is summed up in the 10 commandments. The first four loving God the last six to loving people

All can be placed into the category of loving God or loving your neighbor

So because we are out from under the law should we sin? Easy answer is no but Paul adresses it in Romans 6:15 “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!”

This mindset is taken care of through loving God and loving each other