A.For a person to gain a thorough understanding of the Old Testament requires years of careful study.
1.Such a study is not for the faint of heart or the casual reader.The shear volume of words alone requires a serious commitment, and some of the material can be rather difficult.
2.The history books are comprehensive of many diverse cultures, many different places, and a tremendously long period of time.
3.The books of law are highly technical and especially weighed down with minute details.
4.The prophets are filled with figurative language and difficult words that can be hard to comprehend.
B.At the time that Jesus came to earth, it is evident that many of the people among the Jews simply did not understand the Law and the Prophets.
1.At that time, there were rabbis, lawyers, and scribes among the Jews to teach the Old Testament and explain the meaning of the Scriptures to the people.However, even the teachers did not understand what they attempted to teach.
2.The result of false teaching and ignorance was that the people were “distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).
C.Therefore, it must have been astounding when Jesus came and simplified the Law and the Prophets with statements such as these:
1.“Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 7:12)
2.“‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:37-40)
D.Likewise, the teachers of Christ’s gospel made the same type of statements about the Law after the Lord ascended to the Father.See Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8-10.
E.It is the simplicity of these teachings that gives us understanding of what the Old Testament means to us today.
1.Rather than viewing the Law and the Prophets as a massive burden of incomprehensible laws and facts, they should be considered as words to teach us how to love God and our neighbors.
2.The title of this lesson is a play on the popular series of books, “…for Dummies.”Of course, what it means is a simple treatment of the subject so that anyone can understand.This is what Christ has given us for the Old Testament.
II.ABOLISHED BUT NOT DESTROYED
A.In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Think not that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17).
1.This quote is taken from the American Standard Version, which gives the correct translation in the word “destroy.”
a.The original Greek word kataluo means “to tear down,” and it is used in other passages in reference to the temple (Matt. 24:2; 26:61; 27:40) and the body (2Cor. 5:1).
b.This word is translated in some versions (NASB, NIV) as “abolish,” which is not the best translation and creates the appearance of a conflict with Ephesians 2:15 (more on this below).
2.In saying that He did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, the Lord has declared that the Law and the Prophets still have a place in His gospel.Jesus did not wipe out everything previously revealed by God and replace it with something completely new.(In fact, much of the New Testament is made up from quotes of the Old Testament.)
3.Instead, the Lord’s coming was to fulfill the purpose of the Law and the Prophets.
a.The words written in the Law and the Prophets created anticipation for some future satisfaction of the needs that the Law and the Prophets could not satisfy themselves.The Jews of the first century experienced that anticipation as they awaited the coming of the Messiah, although they were ignorant of how God would fulfill that anticipation.
b.Jesus is the Messiah who satisfies the purpose of the Old Testament.With His coming, the Law and the Prophets were fulfilled, and their purpose was completed.
i.Galatians 3:23-25 shows how the Law functioned as a “tutor” (one who directs children) until faith came, and faith came when Christ came.If Christ had not come, the Law would have been unfulfilled without function and purpose.
ii.Likewise, Romans 3:31 shows that the Law is not abolished by faith, but rather it is established.In other words, the Law and the Prophets are given meaning and significance because of Christ and the faith.Without Christ, the Old Testament would be an unfinished book.
iii.Jesus said that the summary of the Law and the Prophets was to love God and love one another.The ultimate exposition of love is seen in Christ Himself, and so He is indeed the fulfillment and summary of the Law and the Prophets.
4.Thus, it is said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.See Ephesians 3:1-12.
B.The fact that Jesus did not destroy the Law and the Prophets does not mean that we are to observe the commandments of the Law today.Even though they are not destroyed, they have been abolished as active laws.
1.Ephesians 2:15 explains that Christ removed the separation between Jews and Gentiles by “having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that He might create in Himself of the two one new man, so making peace.”
a.Here the word “abolished” is from the Greek katargeo and is well translated.Essentially, it means “to deactivate” or “to make ineffective.”It is also used of death (1Cor. 15:26; 2Tim. 1:10), rule and authority (1Cor. 15:24), and a widow’s marriage (Rom. 7:2).
b.In this verse, it is the commandments and ordinances of the Law of Moses (including the Ten Commandments) that are said to have been abolished or deactivated.They are no longer in effect.
2.This does not conflict with what Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-19 nor with Romans 3:31.The Law and the Prophets are not destroyed, and their purpose is not abolished.The Law is fulfilled in Christ, but the commandments and ordinances themselves are no longer in effect.
III.THE VALUE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
A.One may wonder what is to be gained by studying the Law and the Prophets if their purpose is fulfilled and their commandments are abolished.Consider what the New Testament says:
1.The Law and the Prophets bear witness to the righteousness of God (how sinners become righteous) that is revealed in the gospel of Christ (Rom. 3:21; 1:16-17; Acts 24:14).
2.The Law and the Prophets testify of Jesus, giving evidence that He is the Christ (Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Acts 8:35; 13:14-43; 28:23).
3.The Old Testament was written to give instruction that we might have hope, faith, and endurance (Rom. 15:4; Heb. 12:1-2).
4.The tenets of the Old Law were a shadow from which we can learn of the true, heavenly kingdom (Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 8:4-5; 10:1).
B.In truth, no student of God’s word can be well educated in the New Testament without knowledge of the Old Testament.
1.Without the Law and the Prophets, the New Testament has no context or foundation.Without the many quotations and references to the Old Testament, the New Testament would fall apart.If we do not understand those quotations and references, we will not understand the New Testament.
2.Without the Law and the Prophets, we could not know who Jesus of Nazareth was, for they establish the criteria for God’s Christ.With them, we can know who He is and that He fulfills, exceeds, and surpasses the Law and the Prophets.
3.Without the Old Testament, we would have little knowledge of our origin or our Creator.Because we have the Old Testament, we understand who God is, His authority, and His nature.We know that He is faithful to keep His promises because the record shows that He always has.
C.The real value of the Old Testament is obvious when we again consider the Lord’s summary of the Law and the Prophets in Matthew 7:12 and 22:37-40.
1.Jesus said that the essence of the Law and the Prophets is to love God and love one another.
2.What better lesson could be learned by man?Therefore, study the Old Testament, and be drawn closer to your heavenly Father and your brothers and sisters in Christ.
