Didn't Christ Fulfill the Law?

The book Biblically Kosher is written from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Since Messianic Judaism acknowledges Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, some people might question why we would be concerned with the Old Testament food laws at all. After all, it is commonly taught that Jesus "fulfilled" the law. This is interpreted to mean that since he satisfied the law's demands, there is no longer any need or reason to observe them.

The idea that Jesus fulfilled the law comes from Matthew 5:

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 say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17–20 ESV)

We can make some important observations on this passage:

1. He contrasts "abolishing" with "fulfilling" and insists that he did not come to abolish. But if "fulfilling" it means that it is no longer in effect as law, then it would be the same as "abolishing." This indicates that fulfilling the law must mean something other than putting it to an end.
2. We cannot say that "all is accomplished" yet because this will not happen "until heaven and earth pass away."
3. Jesus declares that one who merely "relaxes one of the least of the commandments" will be least in the kingdom. How much more would this be so for someone who puts the entire corpus to an end! Jesus is certainly not least, so we can confidently say that he did not relax even one of the least of the commandments.
4. Jesus commends anyone who "does" and "teaches" even the least of the commandments.

But what does "fulfilling the law" mean? This is an example of a case where a Messianic Jewish approach is helpful because it provides important contextual, cultural, and linguistic information.

Ancient rabbis frequently used the terms "abolish" and "fulfill" to describe a person's application of the law and its commandments. One who "abolishes" the law is one who neglects or disregards it. One who "fulfills" it is one who practices and upholds, and affirms it. For example, a famous collection of ancient rabbinic proverbs teaches:

Whoever fulfills the law in poverty will ultimately fulfill it in wealth, and whoever abolishes the law in wealth will ultimately abolish it in poverty. (Pirkei Avot 4:9)

The law was not given as a problem waiting to be solved. It serves as the timeless constitution of the nation of Israel. It does not contain any clause that declares "once a person obeys these laws completely, they will no longer be in effect." Similarly, the president of the United States would never be able to say, "Since I have completely fulfilled the United States Constitution, it will no longer be in force."

Messianic Judaism acknowledges that all are sinners and that we rely upon the saving grace of God. We put our faith in the Messiah and trust that our sins will be forgiven through him. But keeping the law is not about salvation. It never was. It is about living a life saturated in the infinite wisdom of God, trusting in his loving instructions, and revealing his glory through our lives.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments. (Psalm 119:160–166 ESV)

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