I have never taken a mudbath. (Side note: When I confess
such things, an aficionado inevitably says, “Oh you should!” and sends me a
gift certificate. Don’t, please. Save your money. Please). I have never taken a
mudbath, but I assume that one of the more challenging aspects in the process
is simply getting going. The first step into the bath is bound to be the
hardest. Looking at the mud and imagining yourself soon to be immersed within must
be an awkward experience, causing hesitation, doubt, perhaps regret.
A similar sensation occurs for most when confronted with the
Old Testament—a sense that it might be good for you (since everyone says that
it will be), but when you approach… hesitation, doubt, maybe even regret. This
is especially true with the actual “Law” part of the Old Testament. After all,
some of the stories are pretty engaging and the poetry of the Psalms can be
beautiful, but the actual law-part of the Old Testament is daunting to say the
least. We’re talking here about large swaths of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Overwhelming.
If you take the plunge, you quickly find yourself in
unfamiliar territory—leprosy, sacrificial rituals, goring oxen, abnormal sexual
relationships, moving boundary stones, clean/unclean practices. Odd stuff, so
much so that it might be safer simply not to step in.
But, we must! It is God’s Word, after all, and these very
laws were important to Jesus, they are important to us.
So, how do we get past the initial hesitation, confusion,
alien-ness of it all?
It helps to have a framework in mind while reading the Old
Testament Law, something to help sort in our minds what we are reading. One
framework emphasizes the intended function of the law—what did God intend the
law to be used for? Historically, the Church has recognized three “uses” of the
law:
- First, the law acts as a mirror, reflecting the
perfect righteousness of God and our own sinfulness. By reading the Old
Testament, we see more clearly the holiness of the Father, and our failure to
live accordingly. This leads us to Christ for forgiveness and His
righteousness.
- Second, the law restrains evil by showing us the
world as God created and intended it to be. By stressing God’s desire and
justice, all society benefits as goodness is expressed.
- Third, the law guides us in our sanctification,
in the process of becoming more and more holy in God’s sight. How shall we
please our Father in Heaven? The biblical Law points the way. Obedience to His
commands demonstrate our love for Him (John 14:15).
It helps, when reading the Old Testament laws, to be asking
yourself: Does this law reveal God’s righteousness and my sin? Does it give
instruction on how we should live together as a people in God’s sight? Does it
help direct me in paths of righteousness? Asking these questions does not mean
that every Old Testament law becomes clear… but it does help.
This is particularly relevant when we hear Jesus say… “I
have come to fulfill the Law.” Given the immense material in the Old Testament,
how does Jesus “fulfill” the Law? How did His Christmas journey to the cross
“fulfill the Law,” as was the purpose of His coming? This, and more, we shall
explore together this Sunday—Join us!
Read Matthew 5:17.
1. The context of Jesus’ statement here is the Sermon on the
Mount. From what you know of the sermon, how does that impact Jesus’ statement?
2. Why would Jesus need to warn people not to think He came
to abolish the Law? Why would anyone think that? What does it mean to abolish
something?
3. “The Law and the Prophets” is shorthand for the entire
Old Testament. Why do you think those terms sum up the Old Testament well?
4. Why might you be tempted to think Jesus abolished the
law? What benefit to you might there be if He had done so?
5. What does it mean to fulfill something?
6. Look at the three “uses” of the law mentioned above. What
would it look like for Jesus to “fulfill” each of them?
7. What benefit is there that Jesus fulfills the Law? What
blessing is there for you that He has done so?
