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.
