Matthew 5:17-20
Introduction:
1. Jesus had just talked with the disciples about being blessed and also about being “Salt & Light”. He now felt the need to address the elephant in the room… The elephant was the question that kept coming up, “What about the Law of Moses?”
2. Jesus begins by clarifying His relationship with the Law of Moses and the Prophets...
I. “JESUS DID NOT COME TO DESTROY THE LAW BUT TO FULFILL IT"
A. JESUS’ PURPOSE WAS TO "FULFILL" THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS…
THE LAW & THE PROPHETS FORETOLD THREE MAJOR EVENTS
1. FORETOLD THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH (Christ)
¥ There are approximately 330 prophecies in the Bible concerning Christ, the Law and the Prophets (For example, Deut 18:15,18-19; Is 53:1-12)
2. FORETOLD THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
¥ Jesus was also preaching that the fulfillment of that prophecy was now at hand
Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
3. FORETOLD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW AND A BETTER COVENANT FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD CALLED… GRACE
Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
¥ The New Covenant is here! He 8:6-13
B. UNTIL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS WERE FULFILLED, JESUS TAUGHT THAT…
¥ The Law would remain - Mt 5:18
¥ How a person responded to the Law would still affect their place in God’s Kingdom - Mt 5:19
¥ This truth shines the light on the necessity of His COMING, DEATH, BURIAL & RESURRECTION, and His ASCENSION and EXALTATION to God’s right hand!
SOMEONE HAD TO BE IN PLACE TO APPROPRIATE GRACE
II. Question: DID JESUS FULFILL THE LAW?”
A. If He DID NOT… then He failed - Mt 5:17 and we are still under the Law in its strictest forms! - Mt 5:18-19 (including stoning rebellious children, seeing women as property, not eating pork or duck, practicing circumcision…)
B. If He DID… then He accomplished God’s purposes and we should not be surprised to find a NEW Law or Covenant (based on Grace) governing God's people today.
John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
C. My Answer: (This answer is based on Three Biblical Observations…)
1. Jesus DID fulfill the Old Law AND establish Grace on the earth today through the work of Calvary.
2. My Observations:
¥ The PRIESTHOOD changed
Hebrews 7:11-17
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
¥ The LAW ITSELF was replaced by a “NEW AND BETTER COVENANT
Hebrews 7:18-19
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Hebrews 8:6-13
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
¥ Now we are MADE the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
¥ The only way our righteousness could EXCEED the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees is if we are “MADE” the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
III. In Mt 5:21 - Mt 6:4 we see Jesus showing the contrast between Righteousness by the Law and the Righteousness of the Kingdom by Faith through Grace
A. In Mt 5:21-26 He addresses ANGER
B. In Mt 5:27-30 He addresses LUST
C. In Mt 5:31-32 He adresses DIVORCE
D. In Mt 5:33-37 He addresses SWEARING OATHS
E. In Mt 5:38-42 He addresses A RETALIATION SPIRIT
F. In Mt 5:43-48 He encourages us to LOVE OUR ENEMIES
G. In Mt 6:1-4 He encourages us to GIVE TO THE POOR
Closing: What does this mean for us?
¥ It means that we are no longer under the mandates of the Law but we are living “The Righteousness of the Kingdom… by Faith… Through Grace!
¥ We can go to the Word of God and learn a “new and better way” to live for God. We have a “New Covenant based on better promises”
Titus 3:5-7
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
