The Word 11.16.08

It is easy for us to skip past the law and think of it as outdated. After all, doesn’t Jesus dying on the cross render the law obsolete? Not so. The New Testament is clear that the law has been fulfilled by Jesus through the cross. The law was made up of protective guidelines for the good of Israel. The law also leads people to Jesus by pointing out the obvious…each person is a sinner in need of a Savior to restore rightness to a broken relationship with God. Jesus is that Savior.

Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV)

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. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.