Bible Study Series 2011: Jesus Teaches about the Law: Matthew 5:17-20

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets, I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Anyone who breaks 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 practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Life Application Study Bible, NIV, Matthew 5:17-20, pg. 1538).

For many years of my life, I loved the study of law.  Because of this I wanted to be a lawyer.  However, the toughest part of this is that there are so many directions to go in and to be a specialist in, it was difficult for me to choose.  Did  I want to be a prosecutor or a defender?  Really, what was on my mind when it came to studying the law was the U.S. Constitution and what it stood for and what the true meaning that laid within the document.  However, as my life progressed, I found that it was more of a financial issue where I did not want to add to my already burdensome debt.  At the age of 39 when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, my life changed and the idea of studying law was no longer a love of mine.  Not at least first and foremost.

  

So, reading the New Testament and what Jesus had to say about the Law of the Prophets really hit me hard.  What He had to say in His teachings was beautiful.  He did not want at all to abolish the Law as He stated, He wanted to fulfill them.  There were two areas of the Law that God gave so that the people would love Him with all their hearts and all their minds.  These were called the ceremonial and moral laws. 


First, an example of Ceremonial Law.  This law related specifically to Israel's worship.  To understand the concept of Ceremonial Law we need to take a look at Leviticus 1:2 and 3:

The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting.  He said, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them:  "When any of you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.  If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect.  He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord."  (Life Application Study Bible, NIV, pgs.  156-157).

These laws were no longer considered necessary from the time of Jesus' death and resurrection as they pointed forward toward Him.  They actually still apply to Christians as the principles behind them which is to worship and to love a holy God are the true meaning of the ceremonial laws.  

Second, Moral Law (The Ten Commandments).  Moral Law is the direct command of God and requires strict obedience.  Moral Law reveals the nature and the will of God.  Jesus obeyed these laws completely.  It was said that He preached moral law and that these would not be disappear until earth and heaven disappeared.

The final set of laws is called Civil Law.  These are the laws that applied to daily living in Israel.  Jesus demonstrated these laws by example.  However, due to modern society and the differences in culture today, these guidelines cannot be specifically followed.  The principles are timeless nonetheless.

Again, there are many different examples of the Law.  Today, as it is said, times are different then they are from back during the days of both Moses and Jesus.  Today, we see debate after debate about whether or not the Church or the State should be separated from one another.  What has been happening is that we are seeing Government because of public opinion and public pressure the disappearance of religious symbols.  Yet, in some state buildings, the Ten Commandments can be seen hanging on the walls and even some depictions of biblical times can be seen etched into some of our government buildings as well.

So, we have to say to ourselves what is right?  Follow Jesus in His teachings regarding the Laws or do we look at them in a secular way and avoid them at all costs?  No, we as Christians learn from what Jesus had to say and we need to lead by example.  We have to take the Laws and apply them as He would.  What He said that should stick in our minds is this:  Anyone who breaks 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 practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  His greatest love was for the Ten Commandments, which make up our moral laws of today, as should ours be.