Matthew 5:18

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Context:Matthew 5:18 is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He delivers a series of teachings to His disciples and the crowd gathered. This specific verse comes after Jesus declares that He has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). Jesus emphasizes the enduring nature of the law in this verse.

The Importance of the Law:Jesus states that not even the smallest stroke of a pen, known as a jot, or the smallest part of a Hebrew letter, known as a tittle, will pass from the law until everything is accomplished. This highlights the significance and lasting nature of God’s law.

Fulfillment in Christ:Jesus’ statement about fulfilling the law indicates that He is the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus fulfils numerous prophecies and the moral requirements of the Law through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection.

Continuity of the Law:Jesus affirms the continuity of the law until all is fulfilled. He upholds the moral principles and commandments of the Old Testament, emphasising their importance for believers. However, Jesus also provides a deeper understanding and application of the law, calling His followers to live according to the spirit of the law rather than just the external observance.

Christ’s Relationship with the Law:Jesus’ words reflect His reverence for the law and His desire to see it fulfilled completely. He establishes Himself as the ultimate authority and interpreter of the law. In the following verses (Matthew 5:19-48), Jesus goes on to explain various aspects of the law and offers a higher standard of righteousness, challenging His listeners to surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees.

Application for Believers:As believers, we are called to honour and uphold God’s law. Although we are not justified by keeping the law, it still serves as a guide for righteous living. The principles and moral standards found in the Old Testament remain relevant and valuable for believers today. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live out the righteous principles of the law in our daily lives, reflecting Christ’s character.

In conclusion, Matthew 5:18 emphasises the enduring nature of God’s law and the fulfilment of the law through Jesus Christ. It reminds believers of the significance and relevance of the Old Testament law and encourages them to live according to its moral principles with a deeper understanding brought by Christ.