- The Old Testament fulfilled in Jesus
- The Old Testament fulfilled in us
Summary: Jesus tells us plainly how He thinks about the Old Testament (OT) and, by implication, how we should think about the OT: Jesus did not come to void out but fill out the OT. What began budding in the OT started to bloom when Jesus came and will be in full bloom when He comes a second time. Since Jesus did not come to abolish the OT, we should not relax in our obedience to the OT. Or, to put it positively, since Jesus came to fulfill the OT, we can and should excel in our obedience to the OT. But our obedience to the OT must be shaped by a growing knowledge of how Jesus has fulfilled, is fulfilling, and will finally fulfill the truths of the OT. Jesus' fulfillment of the OT is a process and we are part of that process.
Discussion Questions:
- Jesus' reference to "the Law or the Prophets" is shorthand for ______?
- Who was the OT all about (cf. Luke 24:13-49)? [Living room analogy].
- What does Jesus mean when He says that he did not come to abolish the OT?
- What does Jesus mean when He says that he came to fulfill the OT? [flower analogy]
- Why is the fact that Jesus came to fulfill the OT good news for sinners?
- What are some examples from the OT that have been, are being, or will be fulfilled?
- How should the fact that Jesus came to fulfill the OT shape our obedience? (v.19)
- How can a Christian's righteousness exceed that of scribes and pharisees (v.20)?
- When will the process of OT fulfillment be complete? (v.18)
- How does this passage relate to the Beatitudes and to being salt and light?
Application Questions:
- In the past, how have you thought about the OT? How does Jesus want you to think about it?
- How should the fact that Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law shape your relationship to Jesus and to the Law?
- Does your righteousness exceed that of the most meticulous law-keepers of Jesus' day? Explain?
Prayer Points:
- Praise Jesus for being the perfect Law-keeper who bore the curse of the Law on your behalf.
- Praise God that the Spirit of the Law-keeper is inside of you empowering your obedience.
- Confess to God your wrong or perhaps shallow view of the OT.
- Ask God to open your eyes to see more of Jesus in the OT and to awaken fresh appreciation and admiration for Jesus as a result of what you see.
- Pray that God would help you to depend on the Holy Spirit and thus excel in obeying the heart of God's word. Pray that you would hear the heart beat of Christ in the OT and march obediently to the beat of His drum.
