God’s Law Fulfilled!
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17
“The Law and the Prophets” was a familiar term for the Scriptures among Jesus’ hearers. God gave his Word for the benefit of his creation. The Law reveals God’s will. When he created us, he made us perfect. The Ten Commandments declare what is required of us to be perfect. Now because of our sin, it is an impossible standard for us to reach on our own.
God knew that, so his Word also promised a Savior. Through the prophets, God revealed the way that the path to him would be restored. He would send a son, born of a woman. He also revealed that this son would be born from a certain family. The prophets record the promises given to Abraham and David specifically. He also had the prophets record how this son would accomplish this.
Our verse is part of a sermon that Jesus gave. He was telling his disciples of God’s plan. Wouldn’t it be good, just to get rid of the Law? Many people today would like that. No Law means no breaking of it. But look at how our society has suffered because of people who do anything they want. Getting rid of the Law wouldn’t help. But fulfilling it does. The standard still remains; we need to be perfect. That is what Jesus has done. He has fulfilled the perfection that the Law demands. He did it by fulfilling what the Prophets had said he would do. What Jesus accomplished is now ours by faith.
Lord Jesus, thanks for the tremendous victory you have won for us. Enable us to live in thanks to you. Amen.