The Coming of the Just One
1 In the days of Christ, people were looking for the coming of the "Just One" (Acts 7:52), Whom the prophets had foretold. He would fulfill* the Law and the Prophets,** keeping the whole law perfectly.
* To "fulfill" means to make replete -- more than complete -- more than full.
** "Law" refers to the first five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy). "Prophets" refers to all the books of the prophets. The phrase "Law and Prophets" actually refers to the entire Old Testament. Jesus came to fulfill** the whole Old Testament.
2 Jesus made the claim...
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17
3 There are two parts to fulfilling (keeping) the law. If a man (Jesus) was to keep the law, He had to understand it first. If He was to keep it perfectly, He had to understand it perfectly. Only then could He interpret it correctly and deliver the intent of God's heart to the people.
4 Jesus had the correct (perfect) interpretation of the Law and the Prophets.
5 While the Scribes and the Pharisees were looking at the strict legal interpretation of the laws, Jesus looked at the heart of God. What was God's intent when He gave the laws?
6 The Pharisees had made a "hedge" around the law. The purpose of the hedge was to protect the law, but instead it destroyed the intent of the law in many cases. It was this hedge (tradition of men) that Jesus objected to because it destroyed the law.
7 The prophets had foretold the coming of the Just One. He would have to be someone whose heart was perfect towards God, and thus He would be able to interpret the law perfectly. (See Psalm 40:10 and Hebrews 10:5-7)
8 Jesus showed how exactly perfect and pure His heart was towards His Father...
Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oath to the Lord." But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. "Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No'. For whatever is more than these is of the evil one. Mathew 5:33-37
9 The subject here was oaths made to God. Jesus was not saying that we should never take an oath. Our civil courts demand it, and even Jesus Himself took an oath when He was on trial before Caiphas. (Mathew 26:63-64)
10 Jesus was talking about oaths made to God. EVERYTHING any man says is said in the presence of God. It follows that EVERYTHING that is said should be the truth and not a lie. And if it is the truth -- then why make an oath? God knows the hearts of men. Making an oath implies that we really are liars (children of the devil), and cannot be believed except under oath.
11 Jesus' heart was so pure... He saw this hypocrisy for what it was. This hedge had to be removed.
12 The Pharisees were exposed. In all their best (and perhaps even honest), efforts to keep the law, they had instead destroyed it.
13 The point is that no one can keep the law. "There is not a just man upon earth who does good and sins not." Has there ever been anyone (except Jesus) who never told a lie?
14 Righteousness would have to come from a different source.
15 Jesus had said,
...unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20
16 A different kind of righteousness is needed -- relationship with God through faith in Christ Jesus -- the Righteous One. That kind of relationship comes as a gift of God's grace.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
17 That kind of righteousness seeks the heart of God.
18 Revival is coming to Jesus, the Just One. You might think of Him as Someone who is very austere and remote, but He is just the opposite. He was kind, affectionate, loveable, affable, approachable, gentle, strong, patient, bold, friendly, true, and even humorous. Is it any wonder that people were drawn to Him? Children were blessed by Him, mothers adored Him, strong men followed Him. How could He have been so perfect all the time? It is because He was always looking to His Father (God), beholding His Father's face. He dwelt in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18) He was the Just One.
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