The King and the Law

As Christians, we do not follow the Old Testament laws regarding sacrifices and food restrictions. In fact, there are many Old Testament "rules" that we seemingly disregard. So what does Jesus mean when He says that "unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees" we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Are we meant to observe everything in the Old Testament? What is our relationship to the Law and the Prophets? In this sermon from Matthew 5:17-20 we learn what Jesus meant when He said He did not come to destroy the law, but rather to fulfill it.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

- Matthew 5:17-20