“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. MATTHEW 5:17
This is Jesus’ first statement about why He came.
A good teacher anticipates misunderstanding, and here, Jesus corrects a false assumption. Many people think the Bible says: 1) we are all sinners under the condemnation of God’s law; 2) Jesus came to pay the price of our sins; and 3) now we can get on with our lives much as we did before, but we must always remember to thank Him.
But this is a complete misunderstanding of the Bible. Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the Law and Prophets. And then He adds, “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” (5:18).
One day, heaven and earth will pass away. On that day, God will create a new heaven and a new earth. This old planet will be renewed and restored, and it will be finally released from its pain and groaning. And when that day comes, the law will pass away, because its work will be done. The righteous will be declared “not guilty,” and the wicked will be condemned.
When that day comes, the prophets will pass away because all that they predicted will be accomplished. Faith will be turned to sight. God will be with His people and He will wipe all tears from our eyes. The new heaven and the new earth will be the home of righteousness, and the wicked will be outside forever.
But until that day comes, the Law and the Prophets remain. Jesus did not come into the world so that we might say, “There is no more law.” The law stands as God’s definition of righteousness. God tells us what a good life looks like, and it would be a complete misunderstanding to think that because Jesus came, we have no more duty toward the law of God.
Did you include this in your top three reasons why Jesus came? Why or why not?
Written by Colin Smith
Read by Sue McLeish
