Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 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. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Understanding Jesus' Words

Jesus’ declaration in Matthew 5:17-20 is pivotal in understanding His relationship to the Law of Moses. At the outset of His ministry, many may have assumed that He came to dismantle the religious structures of the Old Testament. However, Jesus clarifies that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. This statement reveals the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and highlights Christ’s role in bringing the Law to its full purpose.

What Does It Mean to “Fulfill” the Law?

To fulfill the Law does not mean to discard or replace it, but rather to complete its purpose. Jesus does this in several ways:

  1. By Perfectly Obeying the Law – Jesus lived a sinless life, perfectly keeping every commandment of God. Unlike the Pharisees and religious leaders who adhered to the Law externally, Jesus upheld both its letter and spirit.

  2. By Bringing the Law’s True Meaning to Light – Throughout His teachings, Jesus clarified and deepened the understanding of the Law. He emphasized the heart behind the commandments rather than just external compliance (e.g., anger being equated to murder in Matthew 5:21-22).

  3. By Being the Ultimate Sacrifice – The Old Testament Law required sacrifices for the atonement of sin. Jesus, through His death on the cross, became the final and perfect sacrifice, satisfying the requirements of the Law (Hebrews 10:1-10).

The Unchanging Nature of God’s Law

Jesus affirms that the Law remains significant, stating that not a single stroke will pass from it until all is accomplished. This means that God’s moral standards do not change, and His word remains eternal. The Law was never meant to be a burden but a guide pointing people toward God’s holiness and their need for a Savior.

Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees

One of the most striking statements in this passage is that our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees to enter the kingdom of heaven. The Pharisees were known for their meticulous adherence to religious laws, yet their righteousness was superficial, focused more on outward appearances than on the condition of their hearts.

Jesus calls His followers to a higher righteousness, one that is not based on legalistic rule-keeping but on a transformed heart through faith in Him. True righteousness comes from a relationship with Christ, where the Holy Spirit enables believers to live according to God’s will.

Living in the Fulfillment of the Law

As Christians, we are not under the Old Testament Law in the same way the Israelites were, but we are still called to live righteously. Jesus fulfilled the Law, and through Him, we are empowered to obey God’s commands out of love rather than obligation (John 14:15).

  • We obey God’s moral laws not to earn salvation but as a response to the grace we have received through Christ.

  • We walk in faith knowing that Jesus has accomplished what we never could on our own.

  • We live by the Spirit who transforms our hearts and enables us to follow God’s will joyfully.

Conclusion

Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:17-20 reminds us that the Law was never meant to be abolished but fulfilled in Him. He is the perfect embodiment of God's commands, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He has made a way for us to walk in true righteousness. As we follow Christ, we live not under the weight of the Law but in the freedom of His grace, striving to reflect His holiness in all we do.