I did not come to abolish but to fulfill

I think you have to look at the entire sermon on the mount as a whole in order to try understand the parts.
Jesus starts with the beatitudes, explaining who is blessed. He then makes the comment about the law, which is quoted by the OP, but Jesus goes on to speak specifically about the impossibility of keeping the law.
It seems to me that Jesus is pointing out to the listeners and us readers that God's moral law still judges us and that law finds us guilty. Without the law there would be no means of measurement to state that someone has sinned. The law gives us that measuring tool. But, the law brings condemnation. It points out our failure. It does not help us achieve righteousness. Only Jesus can make us righteous by his atoning work.

jsimms435 said:

I would like to hear your comments about what you think Jesus meant when he said in Matthew 5:17-19 This is the passage the pastor I heard this morning used in his message.

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Any comments?

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Sounds to me that Jesus is stating that the reason He came was to fulfill the Law and Prophets and that He was the fulfillment of them. Jesus said He came not to abolish, meaning the Law still exists.

Rather He came to fulfill not abolish the Law and Prophets and in saying this He is saying there is no other fulfillment He is that fulfillment!

If we sin it’s a transgression of the Law and if we try to keep the Law and transgress It once we become transgressors of the entire Law
We cannot keep the Law and we don’t need to since Jesus fulfilled the Law.



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MennoSota said:

I think you have to look at the entire sermon on the mount as a whole in order to try understand the parts.
Jesus starts with the beatitudes, explaining who is blessed. He then makes the comment about the law, which is quoted by the OP, but Jesus goes on to speak specifically about the impossibility of keeping the law.
It seems to me that Jesus is pointing out to the listeners and us readers that God's moral law still judges us and that law finds us guilty. Without the law there would be no means of measurement to state that someone has sinned. The law gives us that measuring tool. But, the law brings condemnation. It points out our failure. It does not help us achieve righteousness. Only Jesus can make us righteous by his atoning work.

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I started to write but I hesitated because I didn't want to be the first for some reason lol
I LOVE the sermon on the mount, Jesus explains the laws so beautifully and with logic and reason, the first time I read it I was blown away thinking "why didnt anyone ever read this to me before?"...
The commandments were always taught as something as a punishment, something to be obeyed without virtue or question, something dare I say it? Grievous!
Before I read it I just knew the Ten Commandments as a list of Tho shalt nots... with no explanation, now with a clear understanding of them I realize the importance and message of the Cross.
My former weakness was stealing, when revelation hit me I was lifted from that, thats the Holy Spirit working in me, it has raised me up far better and more efficient than the legal system could ever do

jsimms435 said:

I would like to hear your comments about what you think Jesus meant when he said in Matthew 5:17-19 This is the passage the pastor I heard this morning used in his message.

Any comments?

Click to expand...

Christ Who was born under the Law
Himself fulfilled every jot and tittle of the Law
which He caused to be written...

THAT is why we are Baptized INTO Christ
Who fulfilled the Law...

And it is why we are Baptized into His Death on the Cross...
Because by baptism into death we are released from the Law...
The dead are no longer under the Law, you see...

And against Love there IS NO Law...

Not even among the Godless...

Arsenios