Discovering the New Covenant by Greg Taylor - exAdventist Outreach

102
DISCOVERING THE NEW COVENANT
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. Matt. 5:17-18.
This is a text that I used to quote when trying to prove
that the Sabbath was still binding. At first glance, this text
does seem to indicate that the continuance theory is correct
in Jesus’ teaching. It does seem to say that the Law is an
eternal institution. But a closer examination reveals
otherwise. First, I noticed the phrase, "Law and Prophets.”
Jesus is not referring to the Ten Commandment Law here
specifically. He is using the word nomos to refer to the
entire first five books of Moses. “The Prophets” refers to
the rest of the Old Testament. So this is not a specific
reference to the Ten Commandments at all. If one “jot” or
one “tittle” cannot pass from the Law, we cannot pick and
choose which laws are permanent and which are not. The
whole Old Testament is still binding in every tiny detail.
For example, we must not mix one type of cloth with
another, we must execute Sabbath-breakers, and we must
not have relations with our spouses until at least seven days
after the woman’s period ends. We must sacrifice animals,
must stay outside until evening if we have touched a
football (pigskin is unclean!) and much more. The list
could go on and on. By the way, you must not mix milk
products with beef (a Quarter Pounder with cheese is a sin).
If you touch a dead carcass you must be quarantined. All of
the religious feasts still apply. Is that what Jesus is saying?
Are we still under Law until Heaven and earth pass away?
Are all these things still binding? No! The key word to
understanding this passage is the word “fulfilled.” Jesus is
saying that no part of the Law can be ignored, not even the
least stroke of a pen, even if heaven and earth pass away.
You can’t do it yourself or teach others to do so, until all is
fulfilled!