First, it is The Ten Commandments – which
are the Law with a capital “L”. Second, the law was considered the first five
books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch
otherwise known as the “law of Moses.” Third, we have the Law and the
Prophets which refers to what we now call the Old Testament. In Luke 24:44
Jesus said, "These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet
with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of
Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me." This is why he said that he came not to
destroy that law… but to fulfill it!
The Psalmist David had a very different
concept of Law. He spoke about God’s Law in Psalm 19:7-10 and said, “The law of
the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are
trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight
for life. They are more desirable than
gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping
from the comb.”
This is the view that Jesus brings to the
Old Testament Law. This is what Christ said would not pass away, the fact that
the law is “trustworthy; perfect; making wise and bringing joy; they are to be
desired”. But, there was also a fourth meaning of the law which Christ was
talking about – that is the Ceremonial law.
This was all the laws, rules, regulations,
and traditions that had to do with the offerings and sacrifices that were
required in order to have sins forgiven and have a right relationship with God.
It was the Ceremonial law that the Apostle Paul is speaking of in Colossians
2:14 where he says “He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the “written code” – (the Ceremonial law - with its
regulations)… “he took it away, nailing it to the Cross!” Jesus, God’s Son, was the final sacrifice.
There is a perfect example of this in the
Book of Numbers 21:8-9 “The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put
it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when
anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” (This
is still the emblem of healing in the medical world.) A wonderful picture of
Christ on the Cross. All who look to Him receive forgiveness, healing, and
life!
This should help us to understand the Law a
little better, and what Jesus meant when he said “I have come not to abolish
the law, but to fulfill it.” So, the question then is, how should we live?
Should we live as though we have no use for the Ten Commandments or the law of
Moses, or the Prophets? Should we live as though we have a license to sin,
because Christ died once and for all? Of course not. In fact, biblically, this
is the only way we can lose our salvation. Hebrews 10:26 says “If we “deliberately”
keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice
for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment.” Deliberate
rebellion and a willful continuation of sin, is like throwing God’s free gift
of salvation back in his face. And, then we will be judged by the Law.
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