The Jewish people lived according to the Law given by God through Moses, a set of rules and commandments that guided their lives and their relationship with God. When Jesus came, He brought a new understanding of the Law, showing that it was not just about outward obedience but about a deeper, spiritual relationship with God. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explains how the Law and grace work together in God’s plan.
1. Jesus Fulfills the Law: Not Abolishing but Completing
In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus makes it clear that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. He says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” By fulfilling the Law, Jesus brought it to its intended purpose. The Law pointed toward Him, and He completed its requirements through His perfect life and sacrifice.
Lesson: Jesus fulfills the Law by perfectly obeying it and by bringing its true purpose to completion through His life, death, and resurrection.
2. A Deeper Interpretation of the Law
Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives a deeper interpretation of the Law, showing that it is not just about outward actions but about the condition of the heart. For example, while the Law says not to commit murder, Jesus says that even anger against another person is a form of breaking this commandment (Matthew 5:21-22). He also says that it is not enough to avoid adultery, but even lustful thoughts break the commandment (Matthew 5:27-28). Jesus teaches that righteousness goes beyond external obedience and includes purity of heart and mind.
Lesson: Jesus reveals that the true fulfillment of the Law is found in the heart, not just in outward actions. He calls us to live with inward purity and integrity.
3. The Role of Grace: Mercy Over Sacrifice
While the Law emphasized strict obedience to God’s commandments, Jesus introduced the concept of grace—God’s unmerited favor. In Matthew 9:13, Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6, saying, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” This statement shows that God values mercy, compassion, and grace over mere ritualistic observance of the Law. Jesus calls His followers to live in a way that reflects God’s grace toward others, showing mercy and kindness instead of strict legalism.
Lesson: Jesus teaches that God’s grace is central to how we live and treat others. He prioritizes mercy and compassion over rigid adherence to rules.
4. The Law as a Guide to Righteousness, Not Salvation
Jesus affirmed that the Law still had value, but He also emphasized that it was not the means of salvation. Salvation comes through grace and faith in Him, not through perfect obedience to the Law. In Matthew 5:20, Jesus says that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees, we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This statement highlights that the Pharisees followed the Law outwardly but lacked true righteousness, which comes from a heart transformed by God’s grace.
Lesson: The Law serves as a guide for how to live righteously, but salvation comes through faith in Jesus and the grace He offers, not through legalistic obedience.
5. Grace and the Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus’ teachings on grace are tied to the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35), Jesus shows how God’s grace toward us must be reflected in how we treat others. Just as God forgives us through His grace, we are called to forgive and extend grace to others. The Kingdom of Heaven is built on grace, and those who receive God’s grace are expected to live by it.
Lesson: The Kingdom of Heaven is a kingdom of grace, and those who follow Jesus are called to live by the grace they have received, extending forgiveness and mercy to others.
6. Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Old Covenant and the Beginning of the New
By fulfilling the Law, Jesus also brought about a new covenant of grace. The Old Testament Law was part of the old covenant between God and Israel, but through His death and resurrection, Jesus established a new covenant, where salvation is available to all through faith and grace. Matthew’s Gospel points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the old covenant promises and the bringer of the new covenant, where grace takes the central role.
Lesson: Jesus fulfills the old covenant and introduces the new covenant of grace, offering salvation to all who believe in Him, regardless of their ability to perfectly follow the Law.
Key Lessons from “The Role of Law and Grace”:
- Jesus fulfills the Law, completing its purpose and showing that it points to Him as the Savior.
- The Law is not just about outward actions but about inner righteousness, and Jesus calls us to live with integrity of heart and mind.
- Grace and mercy are central to Jesus’ teachings, and God desires mercy over rigid legalism.
- The Law guides us in living righteously, but salvation comes through faith in Jesus and the grace He offers, not through legalistic obedience.
- In the Kingdom of Heaven, grace is the foundation, and those who receive God’s grace are called to extend it to others.
- Jesus established a new covenant of grace, fulfilling the old covenant and offering salvation to all through His death and resurrection.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shows that the Law has value, but it must be understood in light of the grace that He brings. The Law serves as a guide for righteous living, but grace is the key to salvation and true relationship with God. Through Jesus, we learn that God’s ultimate desire is for us to live in grace, mercy, and love, reflecting His character in our lives.
