Getting to Know Jesus: Jesus and the Law

Painting by John La Farge showing Moses receiving the divine law, symbolizing God’s revelation at Sinai.

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 4:14–16 Matthew 26:38–39

Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law, Not Abolish It

“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 tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” ( Matthew 5:17-18 NIV.)

The Three Categories of the Law

Jesus said he had not “come to abolish the law or the Prophets” but had come to “fulfill them.” The Law Jesus is referring to is the Law of Moses, the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch. Given to Moses by God, the Law of Moses comprises approximately 600 laws, which can be categorized into moral, ceremonial, and judicial laws. The moral laws are the Ten Commandments and set God’s standards for morality. The ceremonial and judicial laws are the other 590 or so laws that govern the ceremonial and judicial systems of the Nation of Israel.

How Jesus Fulfilled the Law

Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial law by living a perfect life and offering himself as the perfect sacrifice. He fulfilled the judicial law by taking our sins upon himself and dying in our place.  The moral laws (the Ten Commandments) reflect the nature of God. God never changes.  He is absolute. He is humanity’s moral compass, a steady guide, never-failing and always pointing us to the true north. Likewise, His moral laws never change; they are absolute and do not depend on cultural interpretation or relevance.

The New Covenant Written On Our Hearts

Painting of Jesus and His disciples at the Last Supper, where He established the New Covenant in His blood.

Jesus not only fulfilled the Law of Moses but also ushered in the New Covenant. Jeremiah had foretold this covenant, one written not on stone tablets but on human hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–33). At the Last Supper, Jesus declared, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). In Him, what was once external law has become internal transformation. The Law revealed God’s standard and exposed our sin, but through Christ and the gift of the Spirit, we are enabled to walk in God’s righteousness from the inside out.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it?

  2. In what ways do you see the church today struggling to uphold God’s moral law?

  3. How does the promise of the New Covenant encourage you to live out God’s righteousness from the inside out?

Prayer Focus

Lord, thank You that You never change. You are my steady guide, never failing and always pointing me to the true north. Thank You that Jesus fulfilled the Law and established the New Covenant, writing Your truth on my heart by the Spirit. Help me to honor Your Word and walk in Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Series Navigation

Previous in the Series:

Getting to Know Jesus: The Light and the Stumbling Block

Next in the Series:
Getting to Know Jesus: It’s the Heart That Matters

If you missed earlier posts in this series, you can catch up here:

 

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