Scripture: “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 say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20 ESV
Observation: Only verse 18 (second sentence above) parallels the other two synoptic Gospels (Mark 13:31 and Luke 16:17). Thus, much debate among scholars centers around whether later church fathers edited this passage. But Matthew presents these sayings to prove to his reading audience that Jesus not only fulfills the Messianic prophecies (e.g., Matthew 1:22–23; 2:15, 17–18, 23; 4:14–16) but exercises authority over all of Scripture, unlike the scribes and Pharisees who only interpret it. Moreover, most of the religious leaders of his day failed to uphold the true intent of the Law that transforms hearts—not merely outward behavior.
The last verse of this pericope (v.20) may seem contradictory to our Gospel of grace, but as theologian D.A. Carson contends, Jesus lays out the demand—not the means. Indeed, under his New Covenant written on the hearts of his people (Jeremiah 31:31-34), the Suffering Servant will mature his people into “oaks of righteousness” who will glorify the Lord (Isaiah 61:3).
Takeaway: Having worked with Christian graduate students for ten years, occasionally, a student would question whether Old Testament laws apply to our Christian faith. As theologian Michael Wilkins rightfully argues, “Everything that the Old Testament intended to communicate about God’s will and hopes and future for humanity finds its fullest meaning in Jesus. Jesus has come to actualize the Scripture and take his disciples to a deeper understanding of its intended meaning—and this in distinction from many Jewish leaders, who have misunderstood and misapplied the Scripture’s intent” (NIV Application Commentary: Matthew, pp.228–229). Thus, even though Jesus fulfilled specific laws during his incarnate ministry (e,g., sacrificing animals to atone for sins), the underlying principles remain (e,g., substituting an innocent life for the guilty).
So if outward obedience alone is insufficient, what is enough to enter into the eternal presence of our Holy God? Is not grace by faith in Christ sufficient, as Paul contends (Ephesians 2:8)? Yes, but as Jesus’ half-brother argues, faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). Thus, while works are not our means to our salvation, they are its evidence. And while we no longer have to observe the laws of the Old Testament that Christ fulfilled in his first coming, their congruous threads complete our understanding of Jesus’ commands that apply to our lives today. In sum, the Law is not the means to entering the kingdom of heaven, but following Christ is. And, motivated by our love for our Righteous One (who imputed his righteousness to us, 2 Corinthians 5:21), we obey his commands written on our hearts that teach us how to follow him.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who fulfilled all your laws so that we might become your righteousness. Would you please help us to submit to the sanctifying work of your Holy Spirit that transforms our hearts to lovingly obey your Son’s commands so that we might follow him onward in this life and upward to your glorious heavenly kingdom? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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