Devotional Thought from my bride:
Matthew 5:17 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.
What did Jesus mean by this?
We read about many like Moses and the people of Israel who try to partner with God but fall short. Jesus accomplishes what these human partners attempted but could not complete. Others only partially execute what Jesus entirely fulfills.
One way to understand what it means for Jesus to fulfill the Law and the Prophets is to realize that Christ is the culmination of the law. He established the Word, embodied it, and fully accomplished all that was written.
In living a perfect life, Jesus fulfilled the moral laws of the Old Testament and in His sacrificial death, Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial laws.
Christ came not to destroy the old religious system but to build upon it; He came to finish the Old Covenant and establish the New.
One of the Ten Commandments says we shall not murder. But Jesus said when we are angry, it is a precursor to murder in our hearts because anger creates the potential for such a heinous act. When we avoid the physical act of murder, we partly fill the law. BUT when we change our anger to forgiveness, and in that forgiveness we choose to love, we fill the law to its fullness.
The predictions of the Prophets concerning the Messiah would be realized in Jesus. The Holy standard of the Law would be perfectly upheld by Christ, the strict requirements personally obeyed, and the ceremonial observances finally and fully satisfied.
Jesus lived the perfect life in our place and He died the sacrificial death that we owed. Jesus brought to completion the entire law and the Old Testament prophesies on our behalf so that we can be saved from eternal separation from Him and the darkness that accompanies it. He desires to bring us into His marvelous Light so that we may live in His righteousness. He already did the work. He has won the victory. We just have to choose to live in it. If you haven't already done so, perhaps today is a good day to start 😊
Today God extends to you the free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins will receive eternal life 🙏🏽
Dear Jesus,
I come before You, admitting that I am a sinner. I know there is absolutely nothing I can do to earn my way into Heaven. Jesus, I believe You died on the cross and shed Your blood to pay the price for my sins. Thank You for taking my place on the cross. I believe You died, were buried and rose again on the third day conquering sin and death. Please forgive my sins. I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord and Savior of my life. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen ✝️
