Matthew 5:17-20: The Law of Moses Review Assignment

Matthew 5: 17-20
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Introduction
The strong statements regarding the validity of the Law of Moses, ascribed to Christ in Mathew 5:17-20, have triggered much difficulty to most Christian interpreters. The passage troubles many Christian interpreters since it contradicts their theology. Typically, many Christian interpreters classify their scriptures into dispensations. They define The Old Testament as the Dispensation of the Law whereas the New Testament as the Dispensation of the Grace. But Mathew 5:17-20 is directly opposite to such theology. Consequently, many Christian interpreters twist the verse 17 of Jesus’ words to imply just opposite to what He claimed. Therefore, most Christian interpreters argue that Christ kept the law, so people don’t have to. On the other hand, others argue that Christ fulfilled the law, so people can simply ignore it. This paper analyzes two journals including works of other authors to give a true interpretation and meaning of the passage, so that to dispel rumors and misunderstandings pointed out in the passage.
Journal by Stringer Johnny: Jesus and the law (Mathew 5:17-20)
This journal explains that Christ did not want people to think that he was contradicting the Old Testament prophets and the Law of Moses. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus corrected the assumption, which people had and taught them to respect the law. Jesus emphasizes that whether or not an individual respects the law, has an impact on whether she or he would enter God’s kingdom. To comprehend what Christ is saying that he came to the earth to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and the law, it is important to understand the role of the law. The law was an aspect of God’s preparation to bring Jesus in the world. In the process of preparing the saviour, God created a nation known as Israel in which the saviour would originate. God gave Israelites a land (Canaan) to live in and also gave them a law to guide their lives (the Law of Moses). God worked with Israelites for hundreds of years: disciplining, teaching, and training them to enable them to become prepared and ready for the coming of the saviour.
The Law of Moses contributed a significant function in preparing Israelites for the birth and life of the savior on earth. The law was a schoolmaster designed to guide Israelites to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The law kept within their hearts the concept of morality and purity and God’s knowledge. Furthermore, the law contained functionaries and rituals which foreshadowed or symbolized Jesus and his work (Hebrew 10:1). Moreover, the law helped Israelites to be conscious of their sins and immoral activities, and their need for Christ. Christ fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and the law in the sense that Israelites directed and led their lives towards Jesus. Christ was the fulfillment of the prophecies talked about in the Old Testament. When Jesus performed his work in the world, things that prophets and the law predicted were fulfilled. Therefore, his work realized the fulfillment of the prophets and the law. When Christ claimed that he did not come to the earth to abolish Old Testament prophecies and the law, he did not imply tha...