Our Daily Dose
Day 210 of 365 · Week 30 · Obedience Unto Death
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Fulfillment of the Law – The Heart of Righteousness
Matthew 5:17-20
Scripture · Matthew 5:17-20
17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.
Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount often contrasts with the religious practices of the time. In Matthew 5:17-20, He explains that He has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. He then challenges His listeners to pursue a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees.
Exegesis and Study
- Fulfilling the Law: Jesus asserts that He has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, not to abolish them. This fulfillment means that Jesus brings the Law to its intended purpose, revealing its deeper meaning and ultimate goal. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus embodies the perfect righteousness that the Law requires and provides the means for His followers to live out that righteousness.
- Surpassing Righteousness: The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was often focused on external conformity to the Law. Jesus calls His followers to a deeper, heart-centered righteousness that goes beyond mere legalistic observance. This righteousness is characterized by a genuine love for God and neighbor, motivated by a transformed heart rather than by external compulsion.
Prayer Guide
- Pray for Understanding of the Law’s Fulfillment in Christ: Ask God to give you a deeper understanding of how Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets. Pray for insight into how His life and teachings reveal the true meaning and purpose of God’s commands.
- Pray for a Heart of Righteousness: Reflect on the call to a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees. Pray for a heart that is fully aligned with God’s will, seeking to obey Him out of love and gratitude rather than mere duty.
This devotional is one day from Our Daily Dose, a 365-day journey through Scripture by Armstrong & Zanele Ogwuche.
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Scripture is shown in public-domain translations, so you can share it freely. The study text is from Our Daily Dose by Armstrong & Zanele Ogwuche.
A daily devotional from KingdomOS. Share freely; every card links back here.
A daily devotional from KingdomOS. Share freely; every card links back here.