Jesus came to fulfill the law, a truth profoundly declared in His teachings. Matthew 5:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.[1]
This declaration stands as a cornerstone of our faith, revealing the very heart of Jesus’ mission. The Lord gave both the moral and ceremonial laws to help people grow in their love for Him. Sadly, when Jesus arrived in the world, the religious leaders had misinterpreted God’s laws. They thought Jesus was breaking the laws, but Jesus explained he was doing the opposite. Jesus did not add to the law but did one thing no man could do: He kept it perfectly. This was one way Jesus fulfilled the law.
Jesus Gives Us a New Understanding of the Law
When Jesus spoke of a new way to understand the law, He was aiming to return people to its original purpose. It was not God’s intention for the law to resolve humanity’s relationship with the Creator. The law’s purpose was to serve as a tutor or schoolmaster, guiding people to Jesus.
Galatians 3:24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. [2]
Through the law, it brought an awareness of sin. It exposed our pride in trying to live independently of God, making it clear our need for a Savior. One of the greatest deceptions people face today is believing that living a life apart from God is normal and, in the process, missing what life is truly about.
Why Did Jesus Fulfill the Law?
When Jesus fulfilled the heart of the Law, He embraced its true intentions, motives, and purposes. He gently showed us that righteousness is a gift from God’s work, not something we can earn on our own. It’s natural to wonder, “Does the Law save us?” The answer is a clear no! Instead, the Law points us tenderly to the cross of Jesus, reminding us that we all need a Redeemer who can give us righteousness and welcome us into God’s family.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, sacrificed Himself for us on the cross so that we could be forgiven and loved unconditionally. Through His love, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live out the spirit of the law—a life filled with love, justice, and righteousness. We’re not asked to earn salvation through perfect obedience, but to respond with heartfelt gratitude and faith to the One who fulfilled it perfectly for us. His work assures us that God’s righteous requirements are met, and through faith in Him, we are counted as righteous. This beautiful truth frees us from the heavy burden of earning God’s favor and invites us into a life of freedom and strength through His grace. As we constantly seek to reflect the character of the One who didn’t come to undo the Law but to lovingly fulfill it, we grow closer to Him every day. To learn more about how Jesus came to fulfill the law, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/called-to-be-salt-and-light
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.