Jesus told His disciples that He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill. And what was meant when He said that not one jot or tittle will pass from the law? Does this contradict what Paul said about the law having been abolished by Jesus in His flesh?
For those who might suggest the words of Jesus in Matthew 5 imply that the Mosaic law continues to function in some way, shape or form ... they may want to pause and carefully examine what that would look like—every jot and every tittle. In addition, Jesus said the law would not pass ... (wait for it) ... "until all is fulfilled" (or accomplished).
This is a follow-up to our last couple of programs relating to the New Covenant and what it means for Jesus to be declared as High Priest. Jesus completed the job that He was sent to do by fulfilling the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
Nullified. Cancelled. Abolished. Annulled. Set aside. Ended. Obsolete. After the cross and resurrection, these are some words used to describe the Mosaic law of stone tablet commandments contained in ordinances within a covenant between God and the Jewish people. It had a purpose for a certain period of time but was destined to reach an expiration date ... which was until the time of Christ and His fulfilling of the law and the prophets.
Some misunderstood or misinterpreted writings within the New Testament pages have led to even some who consider themselves people of grace to suggest the ministry of the law still functions today. But we're in danger of contradicting ourselves with such talk ... because if any of that old law is still to be considered as an active ministry, then Jesus cannot be considered a legitimate High Priest as described in Hebrews 7. If any leftover jots or tittles from the law package have not been thoroughly and permanently abolished and replaced with something new and better, then all of it should continue to apply for those (Jews) who were under it—leaving Gentiles who never had the law in a place of hopelessness.
Let's compare within the proper context what the writer of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul, and also Jesus had to say as they communicated to the people of their day.
The world is filled with people wanting to know they are forgiven and in right standing with God. Even professing believers in Jesus may struggle in fear and uncertainty. The foundation of the Christian religion is sometimes a confusing mishmash of works and faith which often puts the focus on behavior and a modernized version of law keeping.
Just exactly what is it that changed when Jesus shed blood and was declared to be the one and only eternal High Priest? Something significant changed and it had to do with the old Mosaic law of commandments being set aside, nullified, cancelled, abolished and declared obsolete. It resulted in a change of law which could not bring perfection—not an amendment to the existing law—but a removal of something that was to be completely replaced, resulting in Jesus becoming the guarantee of a better covenant.
We've received some heartbreaking letters over the years from people living in fear and torment. Much of this is because of misinformation being communicated from those claiming to be educated Bible teachers. Some are leading a local church, while others are quite popular nationally, with books, big churches, and TV or radio ministries. Some even prefer to be called "doctor."
There are far too many people today who have been told that their salvation and justification is not guaranteed ... that it is up to them to do things to try and maintain an acceptable position with God. Let's take a closer look at the truly good news found within a better covenant that cannot fail because God swore by Himself with a promise—because He could swear by no one greater. It ushered in a permanent, eternal High Priest.
This assurance allows us to draw near to God through a better hope which is an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast.
Jewish people under the Old Covenant dedicated themselves to trying to follow a written blueprint (law) they believed would bring them to a place of God's acceptance. First, they felt favored and privileged as people who were born under the banner of such a covenant made between God and Israel. Now all they had to do was to actually do what the law said. They convinced themselves they were doing it—but they were really just working at establishing their own (self) righteousness, while being ignorant of God's righteousness.
Unfortunately, that failed blueprint is a considerable part of how many churches approach the idea of Christianity. Two different covenants get twisted and tangled leaving people frantically running a race in the wrong direction ... where the ditch seems to be the final destination.
Paul explains in Romans 9 that under the Mosaic law contained within the Old Covenant, the Jewish people were attempting to pursue righteousness through their works and actions. They believed the commandments written and engraved on tablets of stone would get them to this destination. But they failed. They were never able to attain or arrive at the "coveted" place of right-standing with God through such a law because faith wasn't in the mix.
On the other hand, Gentiles—non-Jewish people—who never had that law of commandments ... and had no covenant with the living God ... and were not chasing after righteousness ... they somehow attained it. This happened apart from the stone tablets and not by anything they did. How is this possible? The short answer is by the grace of God. Of course, a short answer wouldn't make for a very good podcast, so we're taking a dive into this living thing to help grow in our understanding of a simple but profound gospel.
If someone were to sincerely come up and ask you: "What is the Christian life?" How would you describe it? Let's pause this week and ask ourselves this same question. By doing so, it may lead us to pause and reflect—and perhaps learn something from the One who abides within.
Has our belief in Jesus Christ been turned into something that can be found in the smorgasbord of most of the thousands of other religions that are out there? Have we shrunk what was meant to be a supernatural, interactive relationship down to a "to-do" list of rigorous religious routines that focus more on the external ... while leading many towards self-condemnation and the judging of others?
Maybe (just maybe) life in Christ is far wider, longer, higher, and deeper than what we have known. Perhaps God wants us to experience Him in a way that abundantly exceeds our limited assumptions—significantly beyond what we could ask or think regarding the doctrines of men, theology, and Bible interpretations. You want this. In fact, you inwardly long for it ... and the good news is ... God wants you to have it.
