Jesus: The Fulfillment of All Scripture | Matthew 5:17

Have you ever wondered how the Old and New Testaments of the Bible fit together? Or perhaps you've struggled to see the relevance of ancient texts to your modern life? Today, we're diving into a profound truth that ties all of Scripture together: Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of everything written in the law and the prophets.

This isn't just a New Testament concept. Jesus Himself declared, "Don't think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17). This statement is a key to unlocking the beauty and cohesiveness of the entire Bible.

From Genesis to Revelation, every book points to Jesus in unique and often surprising ways. Let's take a whirlwind tour through Scripture to see how Jesus is revealed:

In Genesis, He is the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent's head, the second Adam who succeeds where the first failed, and the creator of all things.

In Exodus, He is the Passover lamb whose blood saves from judgment, the deliverer from slavery, and the manna from heaven.

In Leviticus, He is the great high priest and the perfect sacrifice.

In Numbers, He is the bronze serpent lifted up for healing.

In Deuteronomy, He is the prophet greater than Moses.

This pattern continues through every book of the Old Testament. In the Psalms, He is the good shepherd. In Isaiah, He is Emmanuel, God with us. In Daniel, He is the fourth man in the fiery furnace. In Jonah, He is the one who was in the depths for three days before rising again.

But Jesus doesn't just fulfill specific prophecies or types. He fulfills the entire purpose and spirit of the law. The law was given to show us our need for a savior and to point us to God's perfect standard. Jesus lived that perfect standard and became our righteousness.

This fulfillment extends to every aspect of the law:

1. The moral law: Jesus lived it perfectly, showing us what true righteousness looks like.
2. The judicial law: He embodied perfect justice and mercy.
3. The ceremonial law: He became the ultimate sacrifice, making the temple rituals obsolete.

Understanding this changes how we read the Bible. No longer is it a collection of disconnected stories or a list of dos and don'ts. Instead, it's a grand narrative pointing to Jesus from start to finish.

This truth also guards us against two common errors:

1. Legalism: Adding extra rules and traditions beyond what Scripture requires.
2. Antinomianism: Thinking we can live however we want because we're under grace.

Jesus fulfills the law, but He doesn't abolish it. The moral principles of the Old Testament still guide us, but now we have the power of the Holy Spirit to live them out.

Consider the story from Luke 24, where the resurrected Jesus meets two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were discouraged, thinking their hoped-for Messiah had failed. But Jesus, "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24:27).

As Jesus explained, their hearts burned within them. When their eyes were finally opened to recognize Him, they marveled at how all of Scripture pointed to Him.

This should be our experience too. As we read the Bible, our hearts should burn with excitement as we see Jesus revealed in every part. Whether it's in the sacrificial system of Leviticus, the Psalms of David, or the prophecies of Isaiah, Jesus is there, waiting to be discovered.

This truth has profound implications for our lives:

1. It gives us confidence in the reliability of Scripture. The intricate way Jesus fulfills centuries of prophecy and foreshadowing is a powerful testament to the Bible's divine authorship.

2. It deepens our worship. Seeing Jesus in all of Scripture should fill us with awe at God's grand plan of redemption, conceived before the foundation of the world.

3. It enriches our Bible study. No longer do we skip over "boring" parts of the Old Testament. Every page becomes an opportunity to see Christ.

4. It strengthens our faith. When we grasp how thoroughly Jesus fulfills Scripture, it bolsters our trust in Him as the true Messiah and Savior.

5. It shapes our identity. Understanding that we are part of this grand story, with Jesus at the center, gives our lives deeper meaning and purpose.

As we conclude, let's remember that this isn't just academic knowledge. The goal is for our hearts to burn like those disciples on the road to Emmaus. We want our eyes to be opened to see Jesus in all His glory, as revealed throughout Scripture.

Whether you're a new believer or have walked with God for decades, there's always more to discover about Jesus in the pages of the Bible. Let this truth inspire you to dive deeper into Scripture, looking for Christ on every page.

May our prayer echo the words of those Emmaus disciples: "Weren't our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32).

As you read your Bible this week, ask God to open the eyes of your heart. Look for Jesus in the stories, the laws, the poems, and the prophecies. Let your heart burn with love for the One who fulfills all Scripture and offers us life abundant and eternal.