SM-II Syllabus                                          Lesson 2  The Fulfillment of the Law

The Sermon on the Mount

SM – II

 

 

Think not I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one joy or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20

 

 

  1. What did Jesus mean when He said that He did not come to “destroy” the law or the prophets?

 

 

  1. In Ephesians 2:15, Paul states that Jesus “abolished” the law of commandments. What is the difference between “destroy” (Matt. 5:17) and “abolish” (Eph. 2:15)?

 

 

  1. How did Jesus fulfill the law and what is the implication of His having done so?

 

 

  1. This is a very tricky question that demands a lot of thought. To what does “heaven and earth” refer and why? Hint: Before you answer, consider the ways in which the phrase is used, especially in Isaiah 65:17-66:24.

 

 

  1. What commandments are Jesus speaking of and why?

 

 

  1. How can one’s righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? Hint: Consider also Romans 10:1-4.