Lesson 750

(Lesson 750)(09-08-13) For today's lesson we go back to a part of yesterday's quote and pick up how Jesus defined the law how it was to be strictly obeyed until it was fulfilled by His death, burial, and resurrection.

Today's quote comes from verses 13-18 of Matthew chapter5;

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

To fully understand this lesson, we must remember that Jesus was speaking to a large group of Jews. When He said, "Ye are the salt of the earth:", He was talking directly to the Jews.

This sermon was not only intended as a guide to future generations of Christians in His Church, it was primarily a chastisement of God's chosen people, explaining to them how they had failed. Jesus was telling those people that until the law was fulfilled they were bound, as God's chosen, to obey the law to the fullest.

In the last two verses of this quote, Jesus makes is clear that He had not come to take away the law from those who were bound to obey it, He had come to fulfill that law for all, among the Jews, who would believe in Him.
We should also remember that obedience to the Law of Moses was NEVER demanded of the Gentiles. However, Jesus made it clear that the law was the perfect guide for those who would eventually make up His Church, both Jews and Gentiles. ~