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Jesus Fulfilled the Law (Part 1)

Key Verse

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
— Matthew 5:17

Section 1: The 613 Laws

• Also known as 613 Mitzvot or Torah
• Serves as a key element of God’s covenant with His people, a formative part of Israelite culture, and the primary description of the earliest sections of the Hebrew Bible. Provides instruction for avoiding idolatry and injustice.

MAJOR PERCEPTS: AVOIDING 2 SINS

Idolatry — refers to forsaking God for idols. The law emphasizes keeping covenant with God and not forsaking Him or His instruction. (Ex. 20:3–5)

Injustice — refers to rejecting God by mistreating His image bearers. People commit injustice when they ignore God’s instruction.

INCLUSION OF THE LAW

Johnson, B. (2016)

• Moral admonishments (e.g., Lv. 19:18)
• Commands without any means of enforcement (e.g., Ex. 21:2)
• Commands where God, not the state, is the enforcer (e.g., Dt. 30)
• Ceremonial instructions (e.g., Ex. 25:10)

CATEGORIES OF THE LAW

Tracey R. Rich

1. About G-d (1–10)
2. About Torah (11–16)
3. About Signs & Symbols (17–21)
4. About Prayer & Blessing (22–25)
5. About Love & Brotherhood (26–39)
6. About Poor & Unfortunate (40–52)
7. About Treatment of Gentiles (53–58)
8. About Marriage, Divorce & Family (59–81)
9. About Forbidden Sexual Relations (82–106)
10. About Times & Seasons (107–142)
11. About Dietary Laws (143–169)
12. About Business Practices (170–183)
13. About Employee, Servants & Slaves (184–202)
14. About Vows, Oaths & Swearing (203–209)
15. About Sabbatical & Jubilee Years (210–226)
16. About Court & Judicial Procedure (227–262)
17. About Injuries & Damages (263–266)
18. About Property & Its Rights (267–277)
19. About Criminal Laws (278–284)
20. About Punishment & Restitution (285–308)
21. About Prophecy (309–311)
22. About Idolatry, Idolaters & Practices (312–357)
23. About Agri & Animal Husbandry (358–364)
24. About Clothing (365–367)
25. About Firstborn (368–371)
26. About Kohanim & Levites (372–401)
27. About T’rumah, Tithes & Taxes (402–425)
28. About Temple, Sanctuary & Sac. Obj. (426–258)
29. About Sacrifices & Offerings (459–560)
30. About Ritual, Purity & Impurity (561–576)
31. About Lepers & Leprosy (577–580)
32. About The King (581–587)
33. About Nazirites (598–613)

You can find the detailed description of each items here: A List of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) — Judaism 101 (JewFAQ)

HOW THE LAW SHOULD BE TREATED

The Psalms provide a description of Torah that is much broader than mere rules or commands, calling it:

• A delight (Ps. 119:92)
• Something to be loved (Ps. 119:97)
• A treasure (Ps. 119:72)

Section 2: What’s wrong with the Pharisees

Key verses:

Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. — Galatians 3:19

1. To make known our sin and highlight our need for a Savior

Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.
— Galatians 3:19

2. To imprison everything under sin and point the way to a Savior

Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
— Galatians 3:21–22

3. To hold conscience captive until the coming of the Savior

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. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
— Galatians 3:24–25

For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
— Romans 10:4

Conclusion:

Jesus HAS FULFILLED the Law.

This is an excerpt from the Church Series: Counter Culture 2 themed: Learning from the Pharisees. The objective of the said series is to understand the genuine and Biblical way of serving the Lord.

See Part 1 here: https://djbulos.medium.com/what-do-you-need-to-know-about-the-pharisees-8ce5de43f82c

Soli Deo Gloria.