Fulfillment of the Law: Christ's Righteousness Revealed

 

Summary

In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus addresses the continuity and fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He emphasizes that He has not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. This passage presents challenges, particularly in understanding what "fulfill" means and how our righteousness can exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. The term "fulfill" can be interpreted in several ways. One perspective is that Jesus fulfills the Law by obeying it perfectly, demonstrating active obedience throughout His life. Another view is that He fulfills the predictive nature of the Old Testament, being the promised Messiah who embodies the prophecies from Genesis to Isaiah. Additionally, Jesus fulfills the Law on our behalf, providing a righteousness we cannot achieve on our own.

The righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees is not about surpassing their legalistic adherence but about receiving the imputed righteousness of Christ. This righteousness is a gift, reckoned to our account through faith, allowing us to stand justified before God. The scribes and Pharisees focused on outward compliance, but Jesus calls for a deeper, heart-level obedience that stems from a transformed life.

The authority of the Old Testament Scriptures is affirmed, as Jesus underscores their enduring validity. The Scriptures are God-breathed, carrying divine authority down to the smallest detail. This passage challenges us to recognize the sufficiency of Christ's righteousness and the transformative power of His fulfillment of the Law. It invites us to lift our eyes from the burdens of legalism and see the crown of righteousness that Christ has secured for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus fulfills the Law by perfectly obeying it, demonstrating active obedience throughout His life. This obedience is not just about following rules but embodying the spirit and intent of the Law, showing us what true righteousness looks like. [09:47]

- The fulfillment of the Law also involves Jesus as the promised Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. From Genesis to Isaiah, the Scriptures point to Him as the Savior, the seed of the woman, and the suffering servant. [14:00]

- Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, not through our efforts but by receiving the imputed righteousness of Christ. This righteousness is a gift, allowing us to stand justified before God, clothed in Christ's perfect obedience. [24:25]

- The authority of the Old Testament Scriptures is affirmed by Jesus, emphasizing their divine inspiration and enduring validity. The Scriptures are God-breathed, carrying authority down to the smallest detail, guiding us in truth and righteousness. [20:30]

- The imputed righteousness of Christ brings freedom and joy, lifting our eyes from the burdens of legalism to the crown of righteousness above us. This righteousness transforms our hearts, leading to a life of responsive love and obedience. [37:33]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Introduction to Matthew 5:17-20
[01:41] - The Challenge of Fulfillment
[02:44] - Understanding "Fulfill"
[03:58] - Theonomy and Christian Ethics
[05:00] - Old Testament Law in Modern Context
[07:04] - Postmillennialism and Theonomy
[08:07] - Jesus' Obedience to the Law
[09:47] - Active and Passive Obedience of Christ
[12:44] - Predictive Fulfillment of the Old Testament
[14:00] - The Messiah in Prophecy
[17:23] - Fulfillment on Our Behalf
[18:38] - Authority of the Old Testament
[20:30] - Divine Inspiration of Scripture
[23:25] - Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees
[24:25] - Imputed Righteousness of Christ
[29:17] - Looking Up to the Crown of Righteousness
[35:20] - Progressive Sanctification and Holiness
[37:33] - Closing Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:17-20

Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says He has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them? [02:44]
2. How does Jesus describe the enduring nature of the Law in Matthew 5:18? What does this imply about the authority of the Old Testament Scriptures? [18:38]
3. What is the significance of Jesus stating that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? [23:25]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees and the righteousness that Jesus provides? [31:04]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Jesus fulfill the predictive nature of the Old Testament, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this understanding impact our view of the Old Testament? [12:44]
2. The sermon discusses the imputed righteousness of Christ. How does this concept differ from the righteousness pursued by the scribes and Pharisees? [24:25]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Old Testament Law in the life of a believer today? What does it mean for the Law to be fulfilled in Christ? [05:00]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the transformative power of Christ's righteousness in a believer's life? How does this relate to the concept of heart-level obedience? [37:33]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of the Old Testament. How does knowing that Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets change your approach to reading these Scriptures? [18:38]
2. Consider the concept of imputed righteousness. How does this truth affect your daily walk with God, especially when you feel burdened by your own shortcomings? [24:25]
3. The sermon emphasizes heart-level obedience over outward compliance. Can you identify areas in your life where you might be focusing more on external actions rather than internal transformation? [31:04]
4. How can you practically lift your eyes from the burdens of legalism and focus on the crown of righteousness that Christ has secured for you? [29:17]
5. Think about a time when you struggled with legalism. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to embrace the freedom found in Christ's righteousness? [35:20]
6. The sermon mentions the enduring authority of the Old Testament Scriptures. How can you incorporate these Scriptures into your spiritual growth and understanding of God's character? [20:30]
7. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate heart-level obedience in your daily life this week. How will you rely on Christ's righteousness to guide you in this area? [36:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Embodying the Spirit of the Law
Jesus fulfills the Law by perfectly obeying it, demonstrating active obedience throughout His life. This obedience is not just about following rules but embodying the spirit and intent of the Law, showing us what true righteousness looks like. Jesus' life was a testament to living out the principles of love, justice, and mercy that the Law intended to cultivate. His actions and teachings reveal a deeper understanding of the Law, one that goes beyond mere compliance to a heart-level transformation. [09:47]

In this way, Jesus invites us to look beyond the surface of religious observance and to engage with the heart of God's commandments. His fulfillment of the Law challenges us to consider how we can live in a way that reflects the character of God, not just in our actions but in our motivations and desires. This calls for a life of integrity, where our outward actions align with our inner convictions, inspired by the example of Christ.

Matthew 23:23-24 (ESV): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!"

Reflection: In what ways can you align your actions with the spirit of the Law, focusing on justice, mercy, and faithfulness in your daily interactions?


Day 2: The Messiah in Prophecy
The fulfillment of the Law also involves Jesus as the promised Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. From Genesis to Isaiah, the Scriptures point to Him as the Savior, the seed of the woman, and the suffering servant. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the culmination of God's redemptive plan, foretold by the prophets and anticipated by generations. [14:00]

This fulfillment is not just a historical fact but a present reality that shapes our faith and hope. As the promised Messiah, Jesus embodies the hope of salvation and the assurance of God's faithfulness to His promises. His life is a testament to the reliability of God's Word and the certainty of His plans for humanity.

Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV): "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Reflection: How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' life strengthen your faith in God's promises for your own life?


Day 3: Imputed Righteousness of Christ
Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, not through our efforts but by receiving the imputed righteousness of Christ. This righteousness is a gift, allowing us to stand justified before God, clothed in Christ's perfect obedience. The scribes and Pharisees focused on outward compliance, but Jesus calls for a deeper, heart-level obedience that stems from a transformed life. [24:25]

This imputed righteousness is not something we can earn or achieve on our own; it is a gift of grace, received through faith in Christ. It frees us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and invites us into a relationship of love and trust. As we embrace this gift, we are empowered to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ, not out of obligation but out of gratitude and love.

Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts rather than resting in the imputed righteousness of Christ?


Day 4: Divine Inspiration of Scripture
The authority of the Old Testament Scriptures is affirmed by Jesus, emphasizing their divine inspiration and enduring validity. The Scriptures are God-breathed, carrying authority down to the smallest detail, guiding us in truth and righteousness. Jesus' affirmation of the Scriptures challenges us to recognize their sufficiency and authority in our lives. [20:30]

As we engage with the Scriptures, we are invited to see them as more than just historical documents or moral guidelines. They are the living Word of God, speaking to us with authority and relevance. This calls for a posture of humility and openness, allowing the Scriptures to shape our beliefs, values, and actions.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for the authority of Scripture in your daily life, allowing it to guide your decisions and actions?


Day 5: Freedom from Legalism
The imputed righteousness of Christ brings freedom and joy, lifting our eyes from the burdens of legalism to the crown of righteousness above us. This righteousness transforms our hearts, leading to a life of responsive love and obedience. Jesus invites us to lift our eyes from the burdens of legalism and see the crown of righteousness that He has secured for us. [37:33]

This freedom is not a license to live as we please but an invitation to live in the fullness of life that Christ offers. It is a call to embrace the joy and peace that come from knowing we are loved and accepted by God, not because of what we do but because of what Christ has done for us. As we live in this freedom, we are empowered to love and serve others, reflecting the grace and mercy we have received.

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: What are some specific ways you can embrace the freedom and joy of Christ's righteousness in your daily life, moving away from the burdens of legalism?

Quotes



"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. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." [00:00:22]

"Fulfill in the sense of obey them. You can imagine that there were critics of Jesus and there were many, who because of the novelty of what He was saying, because of the newness of what He was saying, they were accusing Him of disabusing the Law and the Prophets, that He had come to establish something entirely new and thereby dismissing entirely the Old Testament." [00:08:21]

"The active obedience of Christ is a way of describing the fact that Jesus was obedient to the Law throughout the whole course of His life. From a child, from a teenager into His adult years, He obeyed the Law to the full." [00:09:41]

"He had come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. And this interpretation makes more use of the idea, it is not just that He had come to obey the Law, but He had come in some way to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. In other words, He had come to fulfill all of the predictive nature of the Old Testament." [00:12:18]

"Think of the Servant Songs in Isaiah 53. And as Jesus, we can imagine Jesus when He learned to read Hebrew as a little boy and as He would go to the synagogue and read the scrolls of the prophet Isaiah. And when He came to those passages in chapters 42 through 53, those four Servant Songs, He would say— I was saying yesterday Jesus' life verse— 'I have not come to be served but to serve and to give My life a ransom for many.'" [00:14:27]

"I have come to fulfill them in the sense that we cannot fulfill them, to obey all of its precepts to the jots and tittles, or the iota and dots. 'I have come to fulfill them' to provide a holiness, a righteousness, an obedience that we cannot offer, can never offer. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." [00:17:23]

"The authority of the Old Testament Scriptures in the face of those who might have been suggesting that He was sitting loose to the Old Testament. 'You have heard it said of old, but I say unto you,' and many interpreted that as Jesus abolishing the Old Testament. What He was doing of course was correcting the misinterpretation of the Old Testament by the scribes and Pharisees." [00:19:26]

"The authority of the whole of the Old Testament, that it is the Word of God, that this verse is the equivalent of 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 that 'All Scripture is breathed out by God,' just as in creation God spoke and it came to pass. So in the inspiration and writing and production of Scripture, God breathes out by the power of His Holy Spirit, and what we have is Scripture." [00:20:08]

"What do we need to enter the kingdom of heaven? A perfect righteousness. That is what we need. But how can we get that righteousness? For we sin every day. We fall short of the glory of God every day. We fail to keep His commandments. We do not love Him with all of our hearts and souls and mind and strength." [00:23:42]

"There is a righteousness that is perfect. It is the righteousness of Christ, the righteousness of his obedience, that He obeyed the Law perfectly down to the least iota and dot. 'God made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be reckoned the righteousness of God.' It is accounting language." [00:24:25]

"His obedience, His active obedience, to all the facets of the law, is reckoned to our account, so that in Christ by faith alone, in Christ alone we are reckoned to be law keepers and covenant keepers, so that God doesn't see our sin anymore. What He sees when He looks at us is the perfect obedience and righteousness of His Son." [00:25:36]

"Look up above your head. There is a crown of righteousness. It is the righteousness of Christ. 'I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.' Without that imputed righteousness of Christ, the scribes and Pharisees were trying to obey the Law and they were making up laws of their own, but it was their righteousness." [00:30:39]

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Transcript
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