The Law and the Prophets

Monday, July 11, 2011: John 1:45 (NKJV)

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Background: The stage is being set for the twelve to be chosen as Apostles.

Who did Philip and Nathanael find? They found the ‘Christ,’ the prophesied Messiah.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011: Matthew 11:13 – 15 (NKJV)

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Luke 16:16 – 17 (NKJV)

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

What did John the Baptist bring an end to? John brought an end to the Old Testament and, even more, ushered in the New Testament.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011: Matthew 5:17 – 18 (NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

What is the implication of ‘till all is fulfilled’? Jesus Christ fulfilled the Scriptures (O.T.) and the prophecies contained therein when He declared “It is finished.”

Thursday, July 14, 2011: Matthew 22:37 – 40 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Which of the Ten commands do these two verse sets refer to? None! The first reference is to the Greatest Commandment which is the coat-rack for the Ten. The second reference summarizes the O. T. and is often referred to as the Golden Rule.

Friday, July 15, 2011: Luke 24:44 – 47 (NKJV)

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Background: these words were uttered by a risen Lord Jesus before His ascension.

How is the Christ given understanding summarize the Old Testament Scriptures? Christ had to suffer for man’s sin, die and rise again to clear each sinner’s debt to God on the basis of their repentance and faith in Christ, not on their own good works.