Complete!
Matthew 5:17-20
17 “Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete.18 Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah— not until everything that must happen has happened.19 So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot (commands) and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness is far greater than that of the Torah-teachers and P’rushim (Pharisees), you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
So much is packed into these several verses. Lots of controversy has also occurred because of these verses. I hope to make my explanation simple.
Jesus clearly states: "I have come NOT to abolish but to complete."
The understanding here is clear, Jesus is bringing completion - not abolishment. He would NEVER have taught to stop following the commands God gave to Moses and the Children of Israel. That was the basis of their entire structure and life!
Jesus brings LIFE. Torah is LIFE and Jesus is now teaching them how to write it on their hearts, not just leave it on the stones.
The "yud" is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. It is almost a dot. When the scribes write out the Torah onto scrolls, each letter must be exact and they cannot miss one tiny little detail, like a yud. Jesus teaches that each and every detail of the Torah commands must be obeyed. He is not making them go away.
The "teachers of the law" were beginning to put man-made rules and regulations into place. They were putting up "fences" around the laws of God so they would not accidentally break one. These "protective measures" were actually causing legalism and bondage, not freedom. Jesus was bringing FREEDOM back to Torah. He never once broke the laws of Torah, He simply brought clarity.
Since I have begun to look at the Word of God through the Hebraic intent, I have found clarity. I don't have all the answers, but I realize that the times and seasons we are living in are not what they seem to most of the world around me. I enjoy seeking and asking. I am doing my best to obey them and teach them.
Stop and think today about what traditions of man you might be following. Do you realize that some may not be grounded in the Word? Not all traditions are bad. We just need to make sure that we are doing them because He wants us too, not because the world does. Don't let traditions and legalism of man get in the way of your relationship with God. Always continue asking, seeking and knocking...
Love and blessings,
Rose
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