February 21, 2023

Matthew 5:17-20  (HCSB)
Christ Fulfills the Law
17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so 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. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Michael Koontz
 John MacArthur said this: “Christ was indicating that He is the fulfillment of the law in all its aspects. He fulfilled the moral law by keeping it perfectly. He fulfilled the ceremonial law by being the embodiment of everything the law’s types and symbols pointed to. And He fulfilled the judicial law by personifying God’s perfect justice.” Jesus did it all! He fulfilled the Law in His coming at birth. He fulfilled the Law as a boy and throughout His life. Every prescribed ritual was done, and He never once fell into sin. He fulfilled the Law in His teaching. And through His death and resurrection, He fulfilled the Law. No longer would the Old Testament ceremonies be required by God’s people. He brought about the New Covenant.