In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that he has not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but rather to fulfill them. This statement is found in Matthew 5:17, and it is one of the key themes that runs throughout the Sermon on the Mount.
To understand what Jesus means by fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, it is important to first understand the context of this statement. In Jesus' time, the Law and the Prophets referred to the first five books of the Old Testament (also known as the Torah) and the writings of the Hebrew prophets. These texts were considered to be the foundation of Jewish law and theology, and they were held in high regard by the Jewish people.
When Jesus says that he has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, he is not saying that he is going to replace or discard these texts. Instead, he is saying that he is going to bring their teachings to their intended fruition. In other words, he is going to bring the full understanding and application of the Law and the Prophets that was always intended by God.
One way that Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets is by emphasizing the spirit of the law, rather than just its letter. For example, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus teaches that anger towards a brother is equivalent to murder, and he expands on the commandment "You shall not commit adultery" by teaching that lusting after someone is a sin as well. He is showing that intent and heart is just as important as the actual act.
Another way Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets is by showing that the commandments are not simply a list of rules to follow, but are rooted in a deeper understanding of God's character. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus sums up all the commandments in love for God and love for others, He not just fulfill the commandments but He show their purpose too.
Jesus also fulfills the prophecies made in the Old Testament concerning the coming of the Messiah. For example, in Isaiah 42:1-4, the prophet speaks of a coming servant who will bring justice to the nations. In Matthew 12:15-21, Jesus applies this prophecy to himself, saying that he is the one who is fulfilling it. In the same way, many other prophecies of the coming Messiah are fulfilled in Jesus' life and teachings.
In short, Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets by bringing their teachings to their intended fruition. He shows that the commandments are not simply a list of rules to follow, but are rooted in a deeper understanding of God's character. He emphasizes the spirit of the law and not just its letter. He also fulfills the prophecies made in the Old Testament concerning the coming of the Messiah.
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