Opus 2026-230: Fullfillment

One of the key concepts we find in scripture about the mission of Jesus is,

Matthew 5:17 (KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Most of the comments I hear on this have to do with contrasting law to faith but I don’t think that is the point at all.  It certainly isn’t the point Jesus was making.

We see a similar statement in Luke.  Was Jesus saying He had fulfilled this already?  Notice that Matthew is speaking about the early ministry of Jesus and Luke is dealing with the last moment.

Luke 24:44 (KJV) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

I find it interesting that He spoke of fulfilling things that we don’t think of fulfilling.  Prophecy, sure, but how do you fulfill a law?  You can keep a law or obey a law but fulfill?  We see some possible misunderstanding.

I also look to the words of Jesus on the cross when He called out,

(Joh 19:30 KJV)  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Was Jesus saying He had fulfilled this already?

Paul talks about the Law being fulfilled,

Romans 8:4 (KJV) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

And,

Romans 13:8 (KJV) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Perhaps one of the keys is when it talks about “the law” as opposed to laws.  Are the two expressions the same?  On the surface we see the same word but that does not mean that Jesus and Paul have the same concept in mind.

My current understanding is that Jesus fulfilled all of the purposes of the law and prophets when He shed His blood on the cross.  That moment was the focal point of all human history.  It was the purpose that God implied to Abraham when He spoke of blessing all nations.  My view makes it difficult for those who have glorious eschatological charts that need to be endorsed.

Israel was chosen by God.  It’s whole purpose was to supply an earthly setting for the redemption that came through Jesus.  God still loves them.  They are invited to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  They are not the cutting edge any more.

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