Hebrews 7:18-19
“For there is verily an abolishment of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”
Whenever I start to talk about how Jesus abolished the law the first thing out of a person’s mouth is, “Jesus didn’t come to destroy the law! He came to fulfill it.” That phrase is often followed by a satisfied grin as though I was put in my place. Well not only is this the most popular come back it also the most misunderstood. So let’s look at that verse in Mathew.
Mathew 5:17-20
“Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall by any means pass from the law until all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks(unburdens) one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (speaking of himself) For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it is written…”
Then Jesus teaches the full condemnation of the law.
If Jesus were to destroy the law he would be destroying word, the fabric of the universe. So he is clarifying he did not come to katalyō – destroy or disunite the law. He came to fulfill it. Why? What purpose is found in fulfilling the law? Keep reading. He says that until Heaven and earth pass away not one marking of the law shall pass away until all of it is fulfilled. I believe this is completely in line with what I discussed regarding the integrity of the word.
Jesus is saying there are only two ways to get rid of the law. First he could just destroy it but that would also destroy heaven and earth. If heaven and earth were to pass away then he could easily destroy the law; it would at that time have zero ramifications. So until the day that heaven and earth is no longer an issue not one jot or tittle shall pass away until all is fulfilled.
So to be clear Jesus is saying that when all of the law is fulfilled it can also be removed; while the integrity of the word, at the same time, stays intact. Though at first this verse feels like the perfect counterpoint to my teaching the end of the law, it is in fact my main verse to show how Jesus did abolish it. Fulfillment.
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