Read Matt 5:1-20

“¹⁷ Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them…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.”

The Bible is separated into two broad sections, known as the Old and New Testaments. Pre-Jesus, the Old Testament outlined the story of God’s interactions with the people of Israel, especially his shaping of their nation via his Law and the words of his prophets. Because many modern readers of Jesus have a modern, individualistic worldview, his teaching on the “Law” and “the Prophets” can be misunderstood or diminished in at least two ways. Firstly, some mistakenly believe he was trashing God’s old laws in favour of his new, love-based approach. Secondly, and in contrast to the first misunderstanding, some imply that obeying the old laws is still necessary to get your “ticket to heaven”. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew chapter 5 clears that up.

Those with the first misunderstanding need to know that Christ wasn’t trying to “boil down” God’s law, but rather to “sum it up”. Jesus wasn’t aiming to diminish God’s original laws but to affirm and crown them. In fact, rather than replacing God’s laws, he encapsulates, or fulfils, all of God’s truth in one actionable word – love. Jesus isn’t creating a longer list of religious laws, but fulfilling and perfecting them, showing us what they look like, “in the flesh”.

Imagine you had been diligently saving and investing for many years to buy a home. On the day you finalise the loan you learn your Great Aunt passed and left you an inheritance so large you’ll never have to work again! While you could cast your wise habits aside, wisdom would encourage you to continue saving and investing despite your financial windfall! Likewise, just because our sins are forgiven through Christ, and he has revealed that a heart of love for God and others is the ultimate goal, the truth, beauty and wisdom of God’s ancient laws remain!

The second misunderstanding arises, in part, because we misunderstand the point of this teaching. Jesus’ present point isn’t how you enter heaven, this is clearly by faith in Jesus, not personal performance or morality. Rather, Jesus is making it clear that there will be recognition in heaven for those who obey both him and the laws he came to fulfil. Obedience to the old laws doesn’t give you a ticket to heaven, but rewards when you arrive there, by faith.

In Jesus, we gain a deeper understanding of God, his laws and the life they’re designed for. If Jesus and his life of love are the sum of God’s law, then we need to treasure it not to become righteous, but to become like Jesus, the only perfect human and the one who makes us righteous. Have you put your faith in Jesus? Learn from him to embody God’s ancient laws in a life of true love for God and those around you.