CHRIST'S FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS

Introduction

Last week we took some time to look at what Christ meant when He referred to the Law and Prophets. We saw that all of the Old Testament are the very Words of God, and because of that, they are eternal. We also spent some time talking about the purposes of the Law particularly and the Old Testament in general. We saw that it displays the holiness of God and our own sinfulness. And in doing that, it shows us our need of a Savior! We saw that it uses signs, types, and shadows to teach and illustrate greater truths. But here is the key point: the Law was never given to save us. It was given to show us how badly we needed saving and to point to the only remedy for our sins. And what is that remedy? God must provide a sinless substitute for us in the person of Jesus Christ. Then we finished up by talking about how even in the Old Covenant, there was a promise of a New Covenant that would one day come. This week we will be discussing in what ways Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.

The Fulfillment of the Law

He came to fulfill all Old Testament prophecies.

Luke 24:44 “Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.””

Luke 24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

He came to obey the Law perfectly.

Galatians 4:4–5 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

1 Peter 2:22 “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.”

1 John 3:4 “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”

Hebrews 4:15 “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.”

He came to pay the penalty that the Law requires.

Galatians 3:10 “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.””

Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

He came to fulfill the Old Testament types and shadows.

Colossians 2:16–17 “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”

He came to fulfill the Law in us.

Romans 8:2–4 “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Jeremiah 31:33 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Luke 7:47 “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.””

John 14:15 ““If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”