How Did Jesus Fulfill The Law Of Moses

Jesus: The Original Law-Abiding Citizen

Alright, picture this: You're walking down the street, minding your own business, when suddenly, a cop pulls you over. "Sir/Ma'am," they say, "you've been driving without a seatbelt. But don't worry, I've seen you around. You're a good driver, always stop at reds, never speed. So, how about this time, I'll let you off with a warning, but next time, buckle up, yeah?"

That, my friends, is essentially what Jesus did with the Law of Moses. Now, before you start imagining Jesus in a police uniform, let me explain.

First Things First: What's the Law of Moses?

Imagine the Law of Moses as the rulebook of ancient Israel. It's like the rulebook of your favorite sport, but with more rules and less fun. It had rules about what to eat, when to rest, how to treat others, and even how to build a house. It was a big deal, and breaking it could land you in serious trouble.

Now, Jesus, he's like the star player who comes along and says, "Hey, I get that these rules are important, but let's not forget the spirit of the game. Let's not miss the forest for the trees."

Jesus: The Rule-Breaker Who Kept the Rules

Jesus did some things that seemed to break the rules. He healed on the Sabbath, which was a big no-no. He hung out with the wrong crowd - tax collectors, prostitutes, you name it. He even told his disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath, which was like saying, "Hey, let's have a picnic in the middle of the library."

But here's the thing: Jesus wasn't breaking the rules to be rebellious. He was showing that the Law of Moses was about more than just following a list of dos and don'ts. It was about love, mercy, and justice. It was about people, not rules.

How did Jesus "fulfill" the Law? (Matt. 5:17-19) | BiblicalLaw.org

Think of it like this: You could follow every traffic rule to the letter, but if you're driving like a grandma in the fast lane, you're still causing trouble. Jesus was like the driver who follows the rules but also has the common sense to pull over and let the ambulance through.

But What About the Penalties?

Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what about the penalties? What about the consequences for breaking the rules?"

Well, here's where it gets interesting. Remember how I said Jesus was like the star player? Imagine if that star player said, "You know what? I'll take the penalties for my team. I'll sit out the next game, so we can all move on and play again next week."

Ever Increasing Grace: JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW FOR US

That's essentially what Jesus did. He took the penalty for us. He died on the cross, not because he was a rule-breaker, but because he loved us so much that he wanted to take the punishment we deserved. And then, he rose again, showing that the game wasn't over after all.

So, What's the Moral of the Story?

Jesus didn't come to abolish the Law of Moses, he came to fulfill it. He didn't come to tell us to ignore the rules, he came to show us the heart behind them. He didn't come to make us better rule-followers, he came to make us better people.

So, the next time you're feeling overwhelmed by rules, or the next time you're tempted to ignore them, remember Jesus. Remember the guy who kept the rules, broke the rules, and then took the penalty for us. And then, go ahead and buckle up. It's the law, after all. But more importantly, it's the loving thing to do.