It is not.
Let’s start with the concept of purpose. Salt’s purpose is to be salty. Light to give light. God’s commands to bring our will in line with His. Jesus: to accomplish reconciliation with us and God; saving us through faith in His; bestowing His mercy and grace because of His love for us; fulfilling of all the Law and Prophets. Us: to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and to do His will.
“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.”
Matthew 5:18 (ESV)
You may quibble about the wording and include other aspects. That’s fine. But the point is there is point to the OT Law & Prophets; a point to Jesus; a point to why we, as His children, are here.
Some believe that the portion of our purpose of ‘doing the Law’ is the point. It is not. The point of that Jesus fulfilled all that was necessary on our behalf. It truly and fully is all accomplished!
All!
Now Jesus, who has done that and bridged the gap between God and us, gives us a new command; a new Law; a new purpose, which is to go well beyond righteousness displayed by the scribes and Pharisees: a Law of love our of response to His fulfillment!
Right after our reading today, Matthew goes into the “Sermon on the Mount” where Jesus tells us “you have heard it said” in the OT Law…but I tell you…” In other words, what they had heard about the Law, Jesus fulfilled and gives it back to us reclaimed with an emphasis on the spirit of the Law, given in love, rather than the Pharisaically-watered-down letter of the law minimized and ignored of old. Jesus gives us a joyful Law to live in response rather than a broken one done out of fear. He reminds us that He has already accomplished all for us, so that we can respond as the best salt, and light, and CHRIST-ians He has give us purpose to be!
Through Jesus, all is accomplished! Now live joyfully, in the glorious purpose He has given you to live and love!
Scripture
- Matthew 5:1-13-20
- Psalm 112:1-9
