Jesus and The Law of Moses:

This is what was asked.  I will respond step by step:

a statement I wrote in another blog, and I would like you opinion

            The question arises, why would Jesus cancel out a law that he had to obey all of his life, that is the Old Tesatment.  The answer is rather obvious when you learn it.  Jesus was born a Jew and was subject to the law of Moses just like everyone else who was Jewish.  If he broke the law he was committing a sin and would never have qualified to be our High Priest.

        But the Law of Moses was not God’s perfect law that was supposed to terminate at what the Bible calls “the time of reformation.”   This is a complex subject so let us take this in logical steps.

            I would not describe the Apostle Paul or any of the other apostles as “dreamers of dreams.”  They did not originate the doctrines nor did they see them in visions but were taught directly by Jesus.  Paul spent years being taught by Jesus without any other source of knowledge about Christianity.

Take this from Galatians chapter 1:

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.

        Jesus revealed the truth to Paul directly by revelation.  Remember, it was Paul that Jesus personally met to convert him in the book of Acts.how Jesus came to the man who was once named Saul to convert him personally, one on one.  And, as you know, the Holy Spirit of God taught them.  There were no visions or dreams mentioned in how the Apostles got their knowledge of God.  It was all direct communication from the Holy Spirit which resided in their minds.

       Now about the Law of Moses:

Gal 1:10-24 (KJV)

Galatians 3: 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:19-26 (KJV)

       The Law of Moses was given to a lawless society that had no standards to live by.  The people had to be given order otherwise chaos results.  The Law was given to them under specific circumstances and for a reason.   They needed rules to live by for that period of time.  But the New Testament speaks of this in this manner:

     But look at Hebrews chapter 9:

1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Heb 9:1-14 (KJV)                                                                                                  

       I put the key words into bold font.  The law was there until the time of reformation.  Jesus reformed the way God dealt with the people.  (Remember.  “reform” means to re form.  To form again into a different shape.)  It was now time to change the entire law.

         Notice how he did this.  First, Jesus’ death made the sacrifice of animals no longer necessary.  He died for us.

  1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Heb 10:1-18 (KJV)

          So all of the law of Moses having to do with sacrifices are no longer valid.  They were wiped clean.

          We also know that Jesus said that the old law of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” was no longer valid when he commanded that we must turn the other cheek.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matt 5:38-39 (KJV)

     So all of the hundreds of laws pertaining to the criminal justice system were eliminated.  The entire law of  Moses was based upon that principle.

      Now what about the observance of the Holy Days?  The Feast of Tabernacles, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, etc.  Look to John chapter 4.  There was a Samaritan woman who Jesus met at a well.  It was not common for the Jews to talk to Samaritans because the Samaritans were an offshoot of the Jews who did not obey the law of God as did the Jews.  They took liberties.  The Jews had to worship at Jerusalem according to the law but the Samaritans worshiped on a mountain in their own country.  The Samaritan woman asked Jesus the following:

19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

John 4:19-24 (KJV)

            So Jesus negated the requirement to worship at Jerusalem.  No longer do any of those laws pertaining to worship at Jerusalem make any difference.  Remember: “Neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem.”  So all the laws pertaining to that worship were dismissed.

         Go to Hebrews chapter 7.

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Heb 7:11-28 (KJV)

         Here we see that the priesthood of Aaron (the Levitical priesthood)  was replaced by the Melchisedec priesthood.  All the laws pertaining to priesthood were now abolished by the introduction of Jesus, who was called after the order of Melchizedek, not after the order of Aaron.  See verse 18 above?  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.”

          The law could not forgive sin.  Only the New Testament could do that.  The old law had to be done away with so that we could accept the blood of Jesus for the remission of sin.

          The Law of Moses simply meant death to the sinner.  Jesus’ covenant means life to the repentant.

            So what is left of the Old Testament?  The Levitical priesthood is done away.  The laws about where to worship are done away.  The “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” laws are done away.  The sacrificial laws are done away.  The entire concept of the “unprofitable” law was replaced by a profitable law.

Read this again:

11    If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

      Essentially, Jesus replaced the old law with one that was even more to God’s perfection.  Law didn’t disappear, just a new set of rules came into place.  For the old law was there for a certain time, until the time of reformation when Jesus would take control directly.  The old law was imperfect, flawed, temporary, there for a certain time to bridge the gap between a totally lawless people to one that had law to one that needed a new set of rules.

Now remember.  It wasn’t Paul who ordained that Jesus would be a priest called after the order of Melchizedek.  That was something that was defined by God.  Paul had nothing to do with the course of events.  He just explained them and why they happened.  And I must most certainly point out, in case you didn’t know this, that the book of Hebrews never identifies its author.  Paul clearly identifies himself in all of his other epistles.  Hebrews was not attributed to Paul until centuries after Jesus died and was resurrected.   This doctrine expressed in Hebrews was the prevailing Christian teaching and therefore the book of Hebrews was included in the cannon.  The prevailing teachings of the church defined the book of Hebrews.  Hebrews did not define what everyone should think.  It is a representation of Christian thought and had to be so in order to be included in the New Testament cannon.  No one person is responsible for the teachings of this message.

       So the conclusion is, Jesus dismantled the law by his very coming.  He was there to transition.

 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Heb 7:23-28 (KJV)

      Remember, if Jesus hadn’t replaced the old law with the new there would have been no completion of God’s plan for salvation.

            And to cap it off:
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Heb 10:7-18 (KJV)

      So Jesus died to take away the sin.  The new way of dealing with man is to put law into our hearts and minds.  We are to live the law of love, of turning the other cheek, of compassion and forgiveness and to fulfill the Sermon on the Mount.

       I hope this explains the matter and I hope that you continue to ask questions.  You have good questions.