Subject: Love for all, judge not anyone |
Bible Note: Greetings Kam! Sorry for the delay in responding, but I have been very busy the last few days. :-) To answer your question, let me start with a quote from the Bible Knowledge Commentary: ********************* "5:17-20. This section presents the heart of Jesus’ message, for it demonstrates His relationship to the Law of God. Jesus was not presenting a rival system to the Law of Moses and the words of the Prophets, but a true fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—in contrast with the Pharisees’ traditions. “The Law and the Prophets” refer to the entire Old Testament (cf. 7:12; 11:13; 22:40; Luke 16:16; Acts 13:15; 24:14; 28:23; Rom. 3:21). I tell you the truth is literally, “Surely (or Verily, kjv) I say to you.” “Surely” renders the word “Amen” (Gr. ameµn, transliterated from the Heb. Õaµman, “to be firm, true”). This expression, “I tell you the truth,” points to a solemn declaration that the hearers should note. It occurs 31 times in Matthew alone. (In the Gospel of John this Gr. word always occurs twice: “Amen, Amen.” Cf. comments on John 1:51.) Jesus’ fulfillment would extend to the smallest Hebrew letter, the “jot” (lit., yoÆd), and even to the smallest stroke of a Hebrew letter, the “tittle.” In English a jot would correspond to the dot above the letter “i” (and look like an apostrophe), and a tittle would be seen in the difference between a “P” and an “R”. The small angled line that completes the “R” is like a tittle. These things are important because letters make up words and even a slight change in a letter might change the meaning of a word. Jesus said He would fulfill the Law by obeying it perfectly and would fulfill the prophets’ predictions of the Messiah and His kingdom. But the responsibility of the people was made clear. The righteousness they were currently seeking—that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law—was insufficient for entrance into the kingdom Jesus was offering. The righteousness He demanded was not merely external; it was a true inner righteousness based on faith in God’s Word (Rom. 3:21-22). This is clear from what follows. 3. the substantiation of his message (5:21-7:6). a. Rejection of Pharisaic traditions (5:21-48). Jesus rejected the traditions of the Pharisees (vv. 21-48) and their practices (6:1-7:6). Six times Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said. . . . But I tell you” (5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44). These words make it clear that Jesus was presenting (a) what the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were saying to the people and, by contrast, (b) what God’s true intent of the Law was. This spelled out His statement (v. 20) that Pharisaic righteousness is not enough to gain entrance into the coming kingdom." ******************* Simply put, Matt. 5:18-19 does not mean that the entire Jewish law is binding upon all people for all time. Jesus simply says that heaven and earth will pass away before 'everything is accomplished.' Note that you misquoted Mt. 5:18. You said 'before...any part of the law fails." The actual verse says, "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." (Mt. 5:18) The Key to this passage is that Christ has already fulfilled the law, on the cross. Jesus was accused of breaking the law. Paul was accused of speaking against the law (Acts 21:20-23). Stephen was accused of the same thing before he was stoned. Why? Because they all taught that our relationship to the law has changed in Christ. In Acts 15, some wanted to impose the Jewish law on Gentile believers - or they would not be saved. The early church decided not to do so. If you want a really good look at where we stand as Christians in relation to the law now, read the entire letter of Galatians. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |