Bible Junctures and Dispensations
Question: What is the meaning of Matthew 5:17-18?
This is a very interesting question, and the statements by Christ Jesus regarding the Law and Prophets is interestingly fundamental to all of the Bible, and the message of Almighty God for all mankind!
The miss-teaching on this central subject is abysmal, and leaves many sincere men and women in a state of confusion for much or most of their lives. But what men cannot teach, the Holy Spirit of God can via “the Comforter”!
Starting at Matt. 5:17–18, Jesus makes a clear unambiguous statement, that He has come to fulfil the Law and the Prophets.
It is clear even now that He has not yet done that, and much remains to be completed by Him in the future, so what is slowing progress?
Here we must return to the people Jesus was talking to; the Jews! He had just been talking to them in the context of the “Old (that is the Common teaching) Covenant”, because they were in that ‘stage’ (Dispensation) of God’s Plan of Salvation; and, as He reminded them and the Leaders often; “I am sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matt. 15:24), at that time, to try to change the Jewish resistance to God's Love for them!
But you may say, we are taught that Jesus’ Salvation Act on the Cross of Calvary is for all mankind, that is so, but God wanted to change the hearts of the Jews towards Him, as they were "His Chosen People".
As has been seen above, Jesus makes clear that the “Law and the Prophets” must be fulfilled, and as He stated in v.17, He had come to fulfil both Law and Prophets, in His own Body and Blood as He made clear at the last supper; His
This “Covenant”, although originated for the Jews, was to be extended in a special way to the Gentiles of the world; because as is shown in Acts 28:25–28, the Jews rejected the Sacrificial Gift from God in Christ Jesus; and when Paul enacted the Prophecy of Isa. 6:9–10, the Jews were made “Lo-Ammi” (not My people), for an as yet unknown period of time! That state, which is detailed in Hosea 1&2 will remain until the stage of Zech.12:10 is reached; when the Jews for the first time ever will fully see their sinful ways and rejections of God’s love and forbearing's!!
In the meantime, the offer of Salvation in Christ, has been extended to the Gentiles, and as Paul stated "they will hear"; and when their total number is complete (Romans 11:25-27), the events of Zech. 12:10 will ensue. The Jews will mourn and will be renewed by Father God, and He will initiate a "New Covenant" with them (Jer. 31:31)!
See:
Israel Lost, Israel Saved! (Comment)
Israel Lo-Ammi (not My people)! (Comment)
Israel's Rebirth - Prophecy - The Last Days (study)
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