Matthew 5:17-18 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will be no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
So far in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus has taught the character of God’s kingdom, the measurements of the heart that are valued and desired by the King. The citizens of the kingdom are called to a character that reflects that of the King and then their purpose is to be salt that effects change and light that reveals Jesus as the Truth. As we combined Matthew 5:14-16 and Ephesians 2:8-10 last week we saw that we are created in Christ for good works prepared by God to bring God glory. After this brief but poignant call to purpose for those in the kingdom of God Jesus then turns the attention of His listeners to Himself, He is no longer speaking about their character He is now revealing His purpose for being among them. Why did Jesus come? At the time of this Sermon, even though it was near the beginning of His ministry there were already many asking this question and wherever questions are asked answers abound. I’m sure that there were already many opinions about Jesus, His work, His teaching, His power, His disciples and His purpose. Here in one recorded verse Jesus answers all those questions. He doesn’t give the details of how He will accomplish His purpose but He gives the purpose very clearly. His answer is important and the sudden change is as if He is revealing that we can’t become what He’s called us to be until He has accomplished what He has come to do. His purpose wasn’t just to die on the cross, or just to rise from the dead, or just to do any one thing, His purpose is found in everything that He did because it was all according to the will of the Father to accomplish one task, to fulfill the Law and the prophets. To understand this and to fully reap its benefits and grasp the height, width, depth and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus we have to understand what the law is, what Jesus’ purpose was and what our ultimate response must be. That will be our focus today: to see the Law as the shadow of Jesus, Jesus as our Substitute and our response to be one of complete and eternal satisfaction.