Not Abolished but Fulfilled

Not Abolished But Fulfilled

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity – 7/12/2026

Matthew 5:17-26

Rev. Dr. Christopher W. Brademeyer

That portion from God’s holy Word for consideration this morning is our reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the fifth chapter with special emphasis on verses 17-20 which read as follows:

[Jesus said,] “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.”[1]

Thus far the Scriptures.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

One of the greatest misunderstandings about Christianity is the relationship between the Law and the Gospel. Many people imagine that the Old Testament is about earning salvation through obedience, while the New Testament is about grace. Others go in the opposite direction. They hear that we are saved by grace and conclude that God's Law no longer matters. "If Jesus forgives me," they say, "then why should I concern myself with commandments at all?"

Our Lord addresses both of these errors in today's Gospel. He says, "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." The Law still matters for Christians. But it does not matter in the way many people suppose. The Christian is not saved by keeping the Law. We Christians are saved solely because of Jesus Christ. His perfect obedience, His innocent suffering, His holy death upon the cross, and His glorious resurrection are credited to us through faith. This righteousness is delivered to us through the preaching of the Gospel and through the holy Sacraments. God declares us righteous for Christ's sake. He counts Christ's obedience as our own and receives us as His beloved children and we hold onto these truths in Christian faith and trust. This is the heart of the Gospel.

But if that is true, and it most certainly is true, then an important question naturally

follows: What is the purpose of the Law if we are not saved by it? The simplest answer is that although the Law cannot save, it remains God's holy and good Word for us and our lives. Saint Paul says that the Law is holy, righteous, and good. The problem is not the Law. The problem is us and our sins. Before coming to faith, the Law stands over us as our judge. It exposes our guilt and pronounces God's righteous condemnation against sin. But for those who are in Christ Jesus, something has changed. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."[2] The Law no longer condemns the Christian because Christ has already borne that condemnation upon the cross. The Judge has already rendered His verdict of not guilty. This is not because you have become perfect or because your obedience is flawless. It is because Christ's perfection has been given to you.

Even though this is the case, we remain sinners in this life. Until the day we are raised from the dead, the old Adam clings to us. We continue to struggle against temptation, selfishness, pride, anger, lust, greed, and every other sin. That means we still need God's Law.

The Lutheran Church has traditionally spoken of the three uses of the Law. First, the Law restrains outward wickedness. Even unbelievers are often kept from murder, theft, and other crimes because God has established governments, punishments, and earthly consequences. The Law serves as a curb, holding back evil so that society does not descend into complete chaos.

Second, and this is its most important use, the Law shows us our sin. This is the mirror.

Jesus demonstrates this beautifully in today's Gospel. Most people hear the Fifth Commandment and think, "I've never murdered anyone." But Jesus says: "Everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment." Suddenly the commandment reaches far deeper than outward actions. It exposes the sinful state of the heart. Who among us has never harbored bitterness? Who has never spoken cruelly? Who has never despised another person made in God's image? The Law strips away every excuse. It leaves us standing before God with nothing to boast about. It drives us away from confidence in ourselves and toward confidence in Christ alone. And this is exactly what God intends. For only the sinner who knows he is sick seeks the Great Physician. Only the guilty rejoice in hearing the words, "I forgive you all your sins." Only those crushed by the Law can truly appreciate the sweetness of the Gospel.

Finally, there is the third use of the Law. Once the Gospel has created faith, once the Holy Spirit has made us new creatures in Christ, God's commandments become a teacher for the Christian life. They teach us what pleases our heavenly Father. They show us what love toward God and neighbor looks like.

Notice carefully, however, what the Law does not do. The Law tells us what we should do. It never gives us the power to do it. A speed limit sign can tell you how fast to drive. It cannot make your heavy foot obey it. Likewise, God's commandments reveal His holy will. But they cannot create holiness in your heart. Only the Gospel can do that. Only the Gospel bestows the Holy Spirit. Only the Gospel gives new birth. Only the Gospel creates faith. Only the Gospel strengthens us to love God and our neighbor. The Law commands. The Gospel gives.

This distinction is one of the greatest treasures God has given His Church. Our Lord says that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. What does that mean? It means several things.

First, many of the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament have reached their completion in Christ. The sacrifices, the priesthood, the Temple, the dietary regulations, the feast days; all of these pointed forward to Jesus. Once the reality has come, the shadows are no longer needed. Likewise, the civil laws given uniquely to ancient Israel served God's purpose of preserving His covenant people until the Messiah came. Their purpose has likewise been fulfilled. But God's moral Law has not disappeared. The Ten Commandments still reveal God's eternal will.

But something wonderful has happened for those who belong to Christ. The Law no longer stands over us demanding payment for our sins. Christ has already paid that debt. He fulfilled every commandment perfectly. He loved God with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength. He loved His neighbor without fail. He never sinned in thought, word, or deed. Then He took upon Himself every failure of yours. Yes, every angry word, every hateful thought, every broken commandment, every hidden sin were all borne by Him on the cross. Why was this necessary? Because no sinner can ever be saved by the Law. Jesus says later in this very chapter: "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

The Law does not require us to be mostly perfect, to merely be sincere, not better than average. God requires us to be perfect. His perfection is the standard. Many people compare themselves with others to find righteousness. "I'm better than this person." "I've done more good than that person." Perhaps we even compare ourselves to great examples of charity and kindness.

But God's standard is not your neighbor. It is not the scribes. It is not the Pharisees. It is not even Mother Teresa. God's standard is His own perfect holiness. Measured by that standard, every one of us falls short.

This is why salvation had to be vicarious. Jesus did it in our place. He obeyed where Adam failed. He obeyed where Israel failed. He obeyed where you and I fail every single day. Because He both fulfilled the Law perfectly and is Himself God in the flesh, He could carry our sins as the spotless Lamb of God. And because He died and rose again, His perfect righteousness is now credited to every believer. It is imputed to you. God does not merely overlook your sins. He forgives them. He does not merely tolerate you. He clothes you with Christ Himself. This gift comes to you not through your works but through faith, a faith created by the Holy Spirit through the preached Word and bestowed in Holy Baptism, strengthened through Holy Absolution, and nourished at this altar with Christ's true Body and Blood.

Therefore, dear Christians, do not fear the Law as though it were your only, impossible path to heaven. Nor must you despise the Law as though it had no purpose. Instead, let it do what God has given it to do. Let it expose your sins. Let it drive you continually to Christ. And then, forgiven and renewed by the Gospel, walk according to God's commandments not to earn His favor, but because in Christ you already have it. For Jesus has fulfilled the Law. He has fulfilled it for you. And because He has fulfilled it, your righteousness truly does exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees not because it is yours, but because it is His.

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

[1] Matthew 5:17-20 English Standard Version. All further quotations from the Holy Scriptures are from the ESV.

[2] Romans 8:1