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.

Laws, Statutes and Precepts

Monday, 6/6/11: Psalm 119:33 – 34 (NKJV)

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;

Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

1 Corinthians 14:20 (NKJV)

Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

Be mature in understanding: read the Bible

Tuesday, 6/7/11: Psalm 119:36 – 37 (NKJV)

Incline my heart to Your testimonies,

And not to covetousness.

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,

And revive me in Your way.

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Let God revive you: turn from coveting the worthless

Wednesday, 6/8/11: Psalm 119:41 – 42 (NKJV)

Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—

Your salvation according to Your word.

So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,

For I trust in Your word.

Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Trust God’s word: it is the power of God to salvation

Thursday, 6/9/11: Psalm 119:43 – 44 (NKJV)

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

So shall I keep Your law continually,

Forever and ever.

Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV)

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Speak the word of truth: trust in the gospel of salvation

Friday, 6/10/11: Psalm 119:45 – 46 (NKJV)

And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts.

I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,

And will not be ashamed.

James 1:25 (NKJV)

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Walk at liberty: not just a hearer but a doer

Passing Away

Tuesday, February 16, 2010: Matthew 5:17–18

“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.

Background: This is part of the ‘Sermon on the Mount.’

What is the only reason for the Law and the Prophets passing away? When they are fulfilled, their purpose is accomplished, and they pass away.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010: Matthew 26:42

Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

Background: This prayer was uttered in the garden of Gethsemane before the betrayal of Christ.

What did the cup contain? In figure, the cup contained the suffering and death that Jesus Christ was going to go through to take away the sin of the world, thus fulfilling the Law and the Prophets.

Thursday, February 18, 2010: Mark 13:30–32

Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

2 Peter 3:10

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Background: Jesus Christ was in Jerusalem’s Temple, teaching about the end time.

What is one way of knowing that someone is faking a relationship with God? One way to tell is if they say they know the day or hour of His return.

Friday, February 19, 2010: Luke 16:16–17

“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.

Was John the last prophet? Yes: the Law and the Prophets pointed to Messiah fulfilling the law with His ultimate sacrifice and John was the ‘voice in the wilderness” who declared this.