How Did Jesus Fulfill the Law
Today we will focus on the question of how did Jesus fulfill the law. Many Christians are curious about this concept, often wondering what it truly means. When we look into the Scriptures, we find that Jesus’s relationship with the law is both intricate and essential to our faith. It’s worth reflecting on how Jesus not only upheld the law but also transformed it, giving it new meaning and purpose. As we read through God’s word together, let’s stay open-minded and contemplative, allowing the teachings of the Bible to speak to our hearts.
Understanding the Law: Old Testament Foundations
The law spoken of in Christian teachings primarily refers to the Mosaic Law, which comprises the commandments and regulations given to the Israelites in the Old Testament. These laws, detailed mostly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, were established as guidelines for living in accordance with God’s will. The Hebrew word for law is “Torah,” which means “instruction” or “teaching.” Thus, Torah is not just a set of restrictions, but a way to live according to God’s design (Deuteronomy 30:16). The purpose was to help us understand holiness, justice, and love through a correct relationship with God and others (Exodus 20:1-17).
In the Greek tradition, the law is referred to as “nomos,” which similarly carries the idea of rules or regulations to live harmoniously in society. The law had the dual purpose of preserving Israel’s identity as God’s chosen people and pointing towards the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises, culminating in Christ. Historically, these laws were seen as both a blessing and a challenge, as the people struggled to fully uphold them while understanding their intended benefits.
Jesus entered a world steeped in law and tradition, where the Pharisees and scribes meticulously followed the regulations. However, their focus often turned toward legalism rather than the spirit of the law itself (Matthew 23:4). Through His life, teachings, and actions, Jesus brought a profound understanding of what it truly means to fulfill the law.
The Fulfillment of the Law: What It Means
When we say that Jesus fulfilled the law, we refer to the completion and realization of its purpose through His life and sacrifice. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus stated, “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.” This statement clarifies that Jesus did not dismiss the law; instead, He came to bring it to its intended conclusion. He embodied the moral principles the law taught, lived in perfect obedience, and showed us what it means to love God and our neighbors reliably.
To fulfill the law means to complete its requirements, and this was achieved through Jesus’ perfect life. By living without sin (1 Peter 2:22), Jesus demonstrated the law’s demands. His actions validated the moral teachings of the law, which include love, compassion, and justice. Consider how He emphasized love as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). In doing so, Jesus illustrated that the essence of the law is found in relationships rather than ritualistic observance.
Furthermore, His ultimate act of obedience—His death on the cross—served as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 10:12 explains that “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.” This act not only fulfilled the sacrificial system established by the law but also provided the means for all humanity to be reconciled with God. In this way, Jesus didn’t just meet the law’s demands but rather transcended them, offering a new way through faith in Him (Romans 10:4).
The Prophetic Aspect: Foretelling the Messiah
Throughout the Old Testament, prophecies pointed to a coming Messiah who would fulfill the law in a way that mankind could not. In Jeremiah 31:31-34, God promises a new covenant, one that would be written on the hearts of the people rather than on stone tablets. By coming to Earth, Jesus enacted this promise, bringing a new understanding and relationship with God that was rooted in grace. As it says in Isaiah 53:5, “But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” This illustrates how Jesus met the requirements of the law on our behalf, providing us with forgiveness and restoration.
The prophecies and their fulfillment are countless, showcasing God’s incredible plan unfolding through history. From His birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) to the suffering servant imagery (Isaiah 53), each element points to who Jesus would be and what He would accomplish. He believed the law was also about anticipating a future hope, one that finds its culmination in Him, thus the relationship between the law and the Messiah is rich and transformative.
The New Covenant: Freedom through Fulfillment
As believers, we embrace the concept of the New Covenant, which Christ established through His death and resurrection (Luke 22:20). This new way of living is empowered by the grace of God rather than mere adherence to the law. Galatians 5:1 states, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” This phrase emphasizes that although the law revealed how to live rightly, it could not save us. Instead, Jesus fulfilled the law, allowing us to relate to God not through our own works but through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The New Covenant invites us into a dynamic relationship with God, where the Holy Spirit helps us to live in accordance with God’s will, producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). This shift does not nullify the importance of the law; rather, it enriches it by enabling us to fulfill its purpose through love (Romans 13:10). Jesus elevated our comprehension of the law by teaching us that the greatest commandment is to love God and love others. This shift to love as the central tenet is what distinguishes the New Covenant from the Old Covenant.
The Law of Christ: A New Way to Live
Following the fulfillment of the law, Jesus initiated what some call the “Law of Christ,” which emphasizes love, grace, and community (Galatians 6:2). Believers are now called to live out the principles of the law in the spirit of love. Jesus equipped His followers to carry forth His teachings, which embody the law’s heart. For instance, in John 13:34-35, He commands us to love one another as He has loved us, indicating that love is now the standard for our interactions with others.
The New Testament writings further reinforce this idea, urging us to conduct ourselves in ways that honor God and positively influence others. In Romans 8:3-4, it is clear that Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, enabling believers to walk according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. This means that while we are not bound by the strictures of the Old Testament law, we are invited to live in a manner that brings glory to God through our actions motivated by love, mercy, and righteous living.
Ultimately, Jesus’s fulfilling of the law signifies the transition from rules to a relational journey with God. The key is in understanding that our relationship with God is not merely about obeying regulations but rather being transformed by His love, which leads us to naturally want to fulfill His desires through our lives.
Final Thoughts
In wrapping up our discussion on how Jesus fulfilled the law, we see that He both honored and transformed it. His life set a perfect example of what it means to live out God’s teachings, leading us out of a life of legalism and into one defined by grace and love.
Through His sacrifice, we are no longer reliant on our ability to keep the law for salvation but are invited into a relationship with God that is built on faith. The prophecies from the Old Testament foreshadowed this incredible fulfillment, which opens the door for everyone to know God’s heart.
As we embrace the New Covenant, we recognize the importance of love in living according to God’s desire. We are called not just to follow rules but to reflect Jesus in our everyday lives, making His love evident in all that we do.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4