Matthew 5:17-20: The Law of Moses Review Assignment

Matthew 5: 17-20
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Introduction
The strong statements regarding the validity of the Law of Moses, ascribed to Christ in Mathew 5:17-20, have triggered much difficulty to most Christian interpreters. The passage troubles many Christian interpreters since it contradicts their theology. Typically, many Christian interpreters classify their scriptures into dispensations. They define The Old Testament as the Dispensation of the Law whereas the New Testament as the Dispensation of the Grace. But Mathew 5:17-20 is directly opposite to such theology. Consequently, many Christian interpreters twist the verse 17 of Jesus’ words to imply just opposite to what He claimed. Therefore, most Christian interpreters argue that Christ kept the law, so people don’t have to. On the other hand, others argue that Christ fulfilled the law, so people can simply ignore it. This paper analyzes two journals including works of other authors to give a true interpretation and meaning of the passage, so that to dispel rumors and misunderstandings pointed out in the passage.
Journal by Stringer Johnny: Jesus and the law (Mathew 5:17-20)
This journal explains that Christ did not want people to think that he was contradicting the Old Testament prophets and the Law of Moses. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus corrected the assumption, which people had and taught them to respect the law. Jesus emphasizes that whether or not an individual respects the law, has an impact on whether she or he would enter God’s kingdom. To comprehend what Christ is saying that he came to the earth to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and the law, it is important to understand the role of the law. The law was an aspect of God’s preparation to bring Jesus in the world. In the process of preparing the saviour, God created a nation known as Israel in which the saviour would originate. God gave Israelites a land (Canaan) to live in and also gave them a law to guide their lives (the Law of Moses). God worked with Israelites for hundreds of years: disciplining, teaching, and training them to enable them to become prepared and ready for the coming of the saviour.
The Law of Moses contributed a significant function in preparing Israelites for the birth and life of the savior on earth. The law was a schoolmaster designed to guide Israelites to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The law kept within their hearts the concept of morality and purity and God’s knowledge. Furthermore, the law contained functionaries and rituals which foreshadowed or symbolized Jesus and his work (Hebrew 10:1). Moreover, the law helped Israelites to be conscious of their sins and immoral activities, and their need for Christ. Christ fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and the law in the sense that Israelites directed and led their lives towards Jesus. Christ was the fulfillment of the prophecies talked about in the Old Testament. When Jesus performed his work in the world, things that prophets and the law predicted were fulfilled. Therefore, his work realized the fulfillment of the prophets and the law. When Christ claimed that he did not come to the earth to abolish Old Testament prophecies and the law, he did not imply that the Law of Moses would stop to be observed. As an impact of his work, death, and resurrection, the Law of Moses would stop being bind when heaven and earth pass away (Romans 7: 1-7; Galatians 3:24-25; Hebrews 7:12; Ephesians 2: 14-16; Colossians 2:14-16). What does this imply?
The term “destroy” means to render useless. Christ did not come to earth to render the Old Testament prophecies and the law useless. Christ’s work was the point of focus in which the prophecies and the law directed to, and Christ clarified that his work was not contradicting the Old Testament. Christ’s work was an efficient harmony with the prophecies of the Old Testament and the Law of Moses. The Old Testament directed to the Christ’s mission on earth. When Christ achieved his work, the Law was realized. Christ’s work was a mission that had been designed to guide people. This was prophesized in the Old Testament and, therefore, had to come. After the Law of Moses plays its purpose, its effectiveness would come to an end when the earth comes to an end (Galatians 3:25).
Until Christ completes his mission on earth, the law must be observed (Mathew 5:18). Christ clarified that individuals who do not observe the law would be the least in the God’s kingdom, whereas individuals who observed the law would be great in the God’s kingdom (Mathew 5:19). This is a fact since obedient spirits would possess God’s Kingdom. For people to possess God’s Kingdom, Jesus expected them to practice a higher level of righteousness than those which the Pharisees and the Scribes practiced and taught (Mathew 5:20). Individuals who disobeyed the law would not inherit God’s kingdom unless they change before the eschatological time is over.
Journal by Gardner Doug: I came to fulfill (Matt. 5: 17-20)
Gardner through his journal gives his exposition regarding the passage Mathew 5:17-20. The journal gives out an explanation of what it implies to the fulfillment of the law. Gardner explains that Jesus did not come to the world to destroy the requirements of the law by offering the covenantal blessings without fulfilling the law. Instead, Jesus came to fulfill the law through his active obedience. For people to get the covenantal blessings, Jesus had to fulfill the law for them. Therefore, the law ethically is fulfilled in the covenant community by individuals who are part of the God’s kingdom. This is performed since people have been blessed and because God’s law is now inscribed in their hearts. People not only fulfilled the requirements of the old law of the Old Testament but also now fulfil...