Christ for Jews: Chapter 10 - Jesus and Torah: Fulfillment and Understanding

The relationship between Jesus and the Torah is central to understanding His role as the Messiah and the implications of His teachings for both Jews and Christians. In the context of the Jewish faith, the Torah represents not only a set of commandments but also the very foundation of life, community, and identity. For Christians, Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of the Law, bringing a deeper understanding of its purpose and meaning. In this chapter, we will explore how Jesus engaged with the Torah, what it means for Him to fulfill it, and the transformative implications of His teachings for all who seek to follow Him.

The Importance of the Torah

For Jewish people, the Torah—the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures—is the core of their religious life. It contains the commandments (מִצְווֹת mitzvot) that guide ethical behavior, rituals, and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Observance of the Torah is a way of expressing loyalty to God and living in accordance with His will. The Law is not merely a legal code but a way of life that shapes identity and community.

The Torah’s 613 commandments encompass a wide range of laws, from those concerning worship and ritual purity to ethical guidelines about justice and compassion. The Torah serves as a moral framework designed to lead Israel in its covenant relationship with God. It is a living testament to God’s desire to dwell with His people and for them to live in harmony with His will.

Jesus’ Affirmation of the Law

Jesus’ approach to the Law was marked by respect and affirmation. Contrary to some perceptions, He did not seek to abolish the Torah or diminish its significance. In fact, He explicitly stated:

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law [the Torah] or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill”(Matthew 5:17).

This statement is crucial in understanding Jesus’ relationship with the Torah. To "fulfill" the Law does not mean to annul it but to bring it to its intended purpose or completion. Jesus brought out the true depth of the Torah’s teachings, illuminating its deeper ethical and spiritual dimensions.

For example, when asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus summarized the Law with two foundational principles:

“‘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’”(Matthew 22:37–39, NKJV).

In this response, Jesus encapsulated the essence of the Torah. By emphasizing the love for God and the love for others, He demonstrated that the core of the Torah was not just about legal adherence but about living in a deep relationship with God and in a compassionate community with others. Through these principles, Jesus invites His followers to embrace the spirit of the Torah, calling them to go beyond the surface-level observance to its profound, life-transforming truths.

The Beatitudes: A New Perspective

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offered a series of teachings known as the Beatitudes, which articulate the values of the Kingdom of God. These blessings turn conventional wisdom upside down, emphasizing attributes such as humility, mercy, and peacemaking. For example, Jesus said: “Blessed are the lowly [the meek], for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5), and “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

These teachings reflect a deeper understanding of the Torah’s intent. Jesus challenges His followers to cultivate the kind of character that aligns with God’s heart. The Beatitudes are not merely ethical statements; they embody the ideals that God’s Law was always intended to inspire. Rather than focusing on strict rule-following, Jesus emphasizes inward transformation, showing that the Torah is not just about outward actions but about the condition of the heart.

The Antitheses: Rethinking the Law

One of the most striking elements of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is His use of the antitheses—statements that begin with, "You have heard that it was said... but I say to you..." (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, etc.). In these statements, Jesus engages with specific commandments from the Torah and reinterprets them in light of His mission.

For instance, regarding anger, Jesus deepens the commandment against murder by teaching that even harboring anger toward someone is a form of moral transgression. He states:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:21–22, NKJV).

Similarly, Jesus expands the commandment against adultery to include lustful thoughts:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27–28, NKJV).

In both examples, Jesus takes commandments that are focused on outward actions and extends them to include inner attitudes and intentions. This approach demonstrates that true obedience to the Law involves not just external actions but also the heart’s condition. Jesus reinterprets these commandments to show that the Law’s ultimate goal is to cultivate love, respect, and community—a life lived in the right relationship with God and others.

The Fulfillment of the Sacrificial System

The Torah includes a system of sacrifices that were central to Jewish worship, particularly for atonement of sin. Jesus’ role as the fulfillment of the Law includes His sacrificial death serves as the ultimate atonement for sin. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

This title connects Jesus directly to the sacrificial system outlined in the Torah, where lambs were offered for the sins of the people. By His death on the cross, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the need for the blood of animals and providing a once-for-all atonement for sin. The book of Hebrews elaborates on this:

By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10).

Through His death, Jesus fulfills the sacrificial system of the Torah and opens the way for believers to have direct access to God through Christ as the mediator between God and the people. His atoning sacrifice provides forgiveness and reconciliation with God in a way that animal sacrifices could only foreshadow.

The New Covenant: Law Written on Hearts

The New Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah speaks of a transformative relationship with God:

“I will put My law within them, and on their heart, I will write it, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:33).

This covenant is inaugurated through Jesus, who empowers believers to live according to God’s will by the Holy Spirit. In this New Covenant, the emphasis shifts from external adherence to the Law to an internal transformation of the heart. Jesus invites His followers into a dynamic relationship with God, where His teachings are not just rules to follow but expressions of a life lived in a relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit, given to believers through Jesus’ work, writes God’s law on their hearts, enabling them to live in genuine righteousness.

An Invitation to Reflect on the Law and Jesus

As we consider Jesus’ relationship with the Law, I invite you to reflect on the implications of His teachings. What does it mean to fulfill the Law? How does Jesus’ emphasis on the heart of the commandments resonate with your understanding of living a life that honors God and His teachings?

This chapter has presented Jesus as someone who deeply respects the Torah while offering a transformative understanding of its purpose. His teachings challenge us to move beyond mere legalism and embrace a life characterized by love, compassion, and a desire for justice. By reinterpreting the Law through the lens of love and mercy, Jesus invites us into a deeper and more profound relationship with God.

Whether you come from a Jewish background, a Christian faith, or are exploring these themes, the invitation remains: to seek a deeper understanding of how Jesus fulfills the intent of the Torah and what it means for your life today.