July 30, 2025
Fulfilling God's Word - Part 3
Matthew 5:17-18
07/30/2025
17 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.
18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth
pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from
the Law until all is accomplished. (ESV)
Jesus told His disciples:
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. For truly, I say to you, until heaven
and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass
from the Law until all is accomplished.
If Jesus indeed came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets,
this means that Jesus accepted the Old Testament as
authoritative. He accepted the Old Testament as God's Word,
revealed by the Holy Spirit to men who wrote as they were
inspired. This is why Jesus, in debating with the scribes and
Pharisees, said, ``Scripture cannot be broken.''[1]
Jesus is not a new Moses, bringing new and different laws
which the Church must follow. The Law of God is perfect. The
promise of the Law is simple, ``do this and you will live.''[2]
There is no need to see Jesus as a new law-giver, but one who
teaches the truth of the Law.
While Jesus taught, He spoke of the proper fulfilling of the
Law. We are to be perfect in thought, word, and deed. The
mirror of the Law shows us our failings, that we have not lived
perfectly. Therefore the Law prepares us to hear the Gospel, the
good news that Jesus Christ bore the guilt of our sin
If the Word of God cannot be trusted, then we have no hope.
But if, as Jesus taught, the Word of God stands forever, then we
can hold firmly in faith to God's rich promise of the forgiveness
of our sins and life everlasting. May our Lord grant us faith
which holds to the truth of His Word for our eternal comfort and
joy. Amen.
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1. John 10:35b
2. Leviticus 18:5; Nehemiah 9:29; Ezekiel 20:11