A lesson on the Law and Prophets and their place in the life of a Christian. As we continue in our study through the Sermon on the Mount today, Jesus now directs our attention to the Law and the Prophets (the commandments of the Old Testament broadly) and how they relate to Christ (and consequently to us) under the gospel of the New Covenant. The error many hearers in Jesus’ day fell into, as is the danger for us, is to believe that the commandments of the Old Testament and the Gospel of the New Testament are somehow in contradiction to one another. When rightly understood, they are in fact in perfect harmony. The only sense in which they may be seen as opposed is if one seeks to be justified by the works of the Law. Far be it from us - we are ruined sinners absolutely and utterly in need of God’s grace. And only God’s grace found in Christ can save us from our sin.
That being the case, the point of Jesus’ message here is firstly that He had indeed come to keep the Law perfectly on our behalf. But also, that the Law is still in full effect for us. Not in earning salvation, but in that it is still the standard of God's holiness and righteousness. And because God is worthy of our obedience, we are still bound by love to honor and obey His Word. Furthermore, the Law is the tool God gives us to see sin in ourselves, and ultimately points us to our need for a Savior in Christ. If we are to be salt and light in the world, we must walk in obedience to God’s Word. The Law and the Prophets are God’s Word - therefore let us know them, and endeavor by God’s grace to live by them for His glory.
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