Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20
Intro: Jesus gives His only direct "book endorsement" in today's passage – His view of the Hebrew Scriptures (our Old Testament). Many find the OT confusing (laws, violence, genealogies) and face accusations of inconsistency in applying it. How should we relate to the OT now? Jesus Himself shows us the way. This passage is key to understanding His relationship with the scriptures He was saturated in from childhood, and therefore, how we should approach them too.
Key Points:
- Fulfillment, Not Abolishment (v. 17): Jesus anticipates the misunderstanding that His radical message means discarding the past. He declares clearly: "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." He isn't overthrowing God's past work; He's bringing it to its intended goal.
- What "Fulfill" Means: It means to "fill full," bring to climax, complete, or set in its right place. Jesus is the culmination of the OT story. The sacrifices pointed to Him (the Lamb of God), the laws revealed righteousness He perfectly embodied, the prophecies predicted His life, death, and resurrection.
- Enduring Authority (v. 18): The OT scriptures remain vitally important. "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." Their divine authority endures.
- Taking Commands Seriously (v. 19): How we treat God's commands (interpreted through Jesus) matters profoundly. Whoever "relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom." Conversely, doing and teaching them leads to greatness. Our personal stance on scripture inevitably teaches those around us.
- Exceeding Righteousness (v. 20): Entry into the kingdom requires a righteousness surpassing that of the outwardly meticulous scribes and Pharisees. This points to the deeper, internal heart transformation Jesus emphasizes, not just external compliance. (To be explored further).
Conclusion: Jesus doesn't give us an "updated version" that replaces the old. He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament story, bringing it to its climax and revealing its true meaning. Therefore, we don't discard the OT, but read it through the lens of Christ. We must take all scripture seriously, down to the smallest detail, recognizing its enduring authority and its power to shape us into "greatness" in His kingdom. Often, it's not the parts we don't understand that trouble us, but the parts we do understand and fail to obey.
Call to Action: Where have you perhaps "relaxed" your grip on God's commands? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of laxity or compromise, areas where you've stopped taking His Word seriously (in attitude, entertainment, relationships, integrity, etc.). Repent of treating His commands lightly. Commit to pursuing His righteousness from the heart, embracing His Word fully, and allowing it to transform you and influence others toward Him.
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The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus & The Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-20)
with Travis Aicklen
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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