Not One Jot

         “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 tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matthew 5:17-18)

         When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:20)

          “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. (Jeremiah 31:31)

          In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:20) 

         

          Today, let’s begin looking at a series of statements Jesus made telling us why He came. Apparently, some people were already complaining that he was putting the law and the prophets aside. Perhaps, He was anticipating such a complaint.  Eventually, some folks would try to set Him up. Answer A would get Him in trouble with the Roman officials. Answer B would get him in trouble with people. More than once he gave him answer C.

          There are some still struggling with this today. Some people struggle with the idea of a Christian who eats bacon or ham, or who wear clothing of two materials. They think that a Christian is required to live according to the law and the prophets. If we don't hold to those small laws, why should we expect follow laws regarding things like sexuality? And today’s passage is one of those they use to justify their accusations. Rather than presenting a good argument, they are demonstrating their lack of understanding of Scripture.

          Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law. Heaven and earth would not disappear until everything was accomplished. Not the smallest jot or tittle (to use the King James language) of the Law would disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Now, consider the second passage above. To what was He referring? What was finished? I submit that it was the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. No, Heaven and Earth didn’t disappear, but all the Scripture said was that they wouldn’t until after the Scriptures were fulfilled. Ten seconds after or ten thousand years after are both still after.

          If you look at Jeremiah 31:31 or Luke 22:20 above, you’ll see that Jesus spoke of a new covenant. A covenant is a contract. If I were to offer you a contract, and someone else a different contract, you would not be expected to fulfill the obligations of their contract, but of yours. Neither would they be expected to fulfill the obligations of yours while under theirs. Being myself, the two contracts might be very different. That’s the way Judaism and Christianity. Each has its own set of obligations. They’re similar. The Jewish contract isn’t gone, but it doesn’t apply to the Christian.

          What all this means is that Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, and He did. Not one jot or tittle has been omitted of all that He was to do up through the day He first said this. Not one jot or tittle has been omitted of all that He was to do up through the day He ascended into Heaven. Not one jot or tittle has been omitted of all that He was to do up through today. And not one jot or tittle will be omitted of all that He is to do through the day that the old heaven and earth will make way for the new. These verses aren’t about our perfection. They’re about His.