Not Destroyed - Fulfilled

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Matthew  5:17 (NKJV) This is a Hebrew idiomatic expression. When a Rabbi was explaining his interpretation of the law, a Rabbi with a differing interpretation would say, “You’re destroying the law” - i.e. misinterpreting it. The first Rabbi would respond, “I’m not destroying the law, I’m fulfilling it” - i.e. I’m giving it its fullest meaning. 

So how does this context of Matthew 5 show what Jesus understood as the full meaning of the law? In verses 21-26, Jesus explains that the law “Do not murder” is fulfilled in not hating anyone. In verses 27-32, Jesus explains that the law “Do not commit adultery” is fulfilled by not lusting. In verses 33-37, Jesus explains that honesty is the fulfillment of swearing oaths. In verses 38-48, Jesus explains that loving your enemy by going the extra mile is the fulfillment of the Roman civil laws.

The law was not meant to be a grocery list of do’s and don’t, but a guide for right living.

The law was designed to be written on our hearts (See Jeremiah 31:31-33 and Ezekiel 36:26-27). God’s goal has always been transforming our hearts so that the will of God can form us into what is good (Romans 12:1-2). Creating a legalistic measurement of what sins are unacceptable and how close to sin can you get without sinning was never meant to be the goal of the law. God has always been and will always be after our hearts and our souls, but we have a habit of turning God’s call into a list of chores. God wants us to do life with Him.

God cares more about who we are becoming than what we do.

Of course what we do affects who we become since actions create habits, and habits form character and character shapes our lives. Adjusting what we do can be an important first step to becoming who God wants us to be. But we can’t stop at the Bible telling us what we can and cannot do, we have to let it change who we are. Change is possible. We have to let God’s Word and God’s Spirit sink into our hearts as we embrace what is fully meant by living with God.