The Law Fulfilled

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; 

I did not come to abolish but to fulfill."

Matthew 5:17

The Jews were looking for an easy way out of obeying God. In light of the Law they stood condemned and they hoped that Jesus would do away with the Mosaic Law and usher in a more liberal view of God's commandments. A view that would make it easier for them to come into God's presence. But Jesus didn't change or do away with the Law or the Prophesies. He fulfilled them all.  "He fulfilled every prophesy of the Messiah. He kept every law and commandment perfectly. He was the substance of all the shadows of Messiah in the sacriical system, the Tabernacle and its various parts and the Jewish feasts -- Col 2:17, Heb 10:1." (PreceptAustin.org) "Jesus fulfils the Law in His doctrine, or teaching. He brings out the real significance of God's commands. The Pharisees accused Jesus of 'abolishing' the law. But, in fact, they were the ones who were abolishing it. Their traditional interpretations of the law weakened its power to search the motives of men's hearts. It was only in the exposition of Jesus (in Matthew 5:21-48, for example) that the real power of God's law could be felt. Jesus did not weaken the law. On the contrary, He let it out of the cage in which the Pharisees had imprisoned it, allowing it to pounce on our secret thoughts and motives, and tear to pieces our bland assumption that we are able to keep it in our own strength. Jesus fulfils the law in His deeds and lifestyle. He shows the real meaning of the law." (Ferguson, Sinclair: Sermon on the Mount :Banner of Truth) (Bolding added)