Understanding Jesus’ Words in Simple Terms
Introduction
Many people wonder what Jesus meant when He talked about fulfilling the law and the prophets. In the book of Matthew, Jesus says, “Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matthew 5:17-20). This passage has puzzled many, and it’s important to understand what Jesus was really saying in everyday language.
Did Jesus Cancel the Old Rules?
Some of Jesus’ followers thought He came to throw out all the old religious laws. After all, Jesus welcomed people who felt unworthy or left out and promised them blessings. He called His disciples the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” It’s easy to see why people thought He might be giving them total freedom from the old ways.
But Jesus made it clear: He did not come to get rid of God’s law. Instead, He came to fulfill it. That means He wanted to show what following God truly looks like—not by ignoring the rules, but by living them out perfectly.
What Is the Law Jesus Talks About?
The law Jesus refers to is the set of commandments and teachings God gave to His people in the Old Testament. Jesus didn’t make up a new set of rules; He pointed back to the same ones. But for His followers, these rules take on a new meaning because Jesus Himself calls them to obey.
What makes Christian obedience different is not that the rules are changed, but that Jesus Himself stands between His followers and the law. He does not let the law become a barrier between Himself and those who trust Him. Instead, He becomes the way for His followers to truly fulfill the law.
The Role of Jesus: Fulfilling the Law
Jesus is the only person who ever lived out God’s law perfectly. He showed what true righteousness—right living—looks like. He did not just teach about the law; He kept it completely. But fulfilling the law wasn’t just about following rules—it meant Jesus would give up His life on the cross. He accepted the hardest part of the law, showing total obedience, even to death.
This act of love and obedience is what sets Jesus apart. He didn’t just teach about doing good; He did it Himself, perfectly. Because of this, He is the only one who can teach what God’s law really means.
What Does This Mean for Us?
So, if Jesus already fulfilled the law, what are we supposed to do? Jesus says His followers are still called to obey God’s commands. But now, we obey not out of fear or because we’re trying to earn God’s love. We obey because we are connected to Jesus—the one who already fulfilled the law. Our “righteousness” (right relationship with God) isn’t about being perfect on our own. It’s about being joined to Jesus.
Jesus gives His followers a “better righteousness” than the religious leaders of His time (the scribes and Pharisees). Those leaders tried hard to follow every rule, but they could never do it perfectly. Jesus’ followers, on the other hand, receive righteousness as a gift—by following Jesus and sharing in what He has already accomplished.
The Gift of Righteousness
Righteousness is not something we can achieve on our own. It is a gift that comes from being invited into fellowship with Jesus. When we follow Him, His perfect life and obedience cover us. Our identity as Christians is not based on how well we keep the rules, but on the fact that we are connected to the one who kept them perfectly.
This doesn’t mean we ignore God’s commands. Instead, our lives begin to show a new kind of obedience—a “righteousness under the cross.” We become people who are humble, merciful, and willing to suffer for doing what’s right, just as Jesus described in the Beatitudes (“Blessed are the poor in spirit… the meek… the peacemakers…”).
Putting It All Together: Following Jesus
In the end, the righteousness of Christ is not just a set of rules to follow—it’s a relationship. It’s about walking with Jesus, trusting Him to lead us, and letting His example shape our lives. As we follow Him, we find ourselves doing what He did: loving God and loving others. This is what it means to live out the “law of Christ.”
Conclusion
To sum it all up: Jesus didn’t come to erase God’s commands. He came to live them out perfectly and invite us to share in His righteousness. When we follow Jesus, we are given a new standing with God—not because we are perfect, but because He is. Our lives then become a reflection of His love and obedience, and that’s what being “righteous” really means.
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 