Not One Word Falls

Not One Word Falls: The Enduring Authority of Scripture and the Call to Reconciliation

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity – 7/27/2025

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 fifth chapter of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew with special emphasis on verses seventeen and eighteen which read as follows:

“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.”[1]

Thus far the Scriptures.

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

Jesus says that He has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. Not an iota, not a dot, not a single stroke of a single letter of these holy texts will pass away until all is fulfilled. He does not explain them away or minimize them, in fact He intensifies them. It is not enough, says the Lord, to withhold your hand from striking in anger. You must also restrain your speech and even your thoughts. Hatred in the heart is already murder in God’s sight.

When we Lutherans speak of "the Law," we often mean it in a narrow sense: God's commands as opposed to the Gospel promises. But here Jesus refers to the Torah, a broader term that includes both the moral law and the first five books of Moses. In fact, by saying "the Law and the Prophets," Jesus means the entire Old Testament, the Scriptures that reveal both God's demands and His promises.

This matters because we sometimes fall into what we might call a "functional Marcionism." Marcion, an early heretic who died around 160 AD, famously rejected the Old Testament and claimed the Old Testament God of Israel was different from the God Jesus.[2] While it is relatively rare to hear someone say this outright, it is unfortunately true that some treat the Old Testament as if it is less authoritative, less useful, less from God. Jesus teaches the opposite, the whole of Scripture matters. The entire Bible is God’s Word and is given for our learning. St. Paul wrote to Timothy, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."[3] Jesus is calling us to honor all of Scripture, not just the parts that are easy or familiar.

Still in Effect: We Need the Whole Bible

This means we are not free to pick and choose which parts of the Bible we will accept. We cannot cut out the parts we find offensive or uncomfortable. The Scriptures are not a buffet. All of it is binding. All of it teaches. All of it testifies to Christ.

Sometimes people will fall into a functional Marcionism by trying to pit Jesus against the apostles, as if only the red letters matter. But the same Spirit who caused Christ’s Words to be recorded also inspired the writings of Paul, Peter, John, and the rest. Their words are Christ's words. And why do we hold to them? Because they give us Christ, who is the Word made flesh, the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

No, not one bit passes away. This also means that the moral teaching of the Bible is still in effect. These do not evolve or adapt to suit modern sensibilities. The world around us increasingly claims that feelings or desires define what is good. If it comes from within, it must be right. This is the justification for many evils: from practicing sodomy to aborting pregnancies, renouncing parents because they do not constantly and perfectly affirm one’s choices, mutilating one’s body to conform the outer flesh to an inner desire, being stingy with greed, justifying and celebrating hatred and cruelty. These things are not justified simply because they are sincerely felt. Sincerity is no guarantee of truth. Indeed, many harmful and wicked things have been perpetuated by very sincere and sure people.

But what does Scripture say? "The heart is deceitful above all things."[4] And again, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander."[5] The root evil is not just out there somewhere, it’s here, within each of us. And so we must not trust our inner compass but submit ourselves to the Word of God.

That means repentance. Daily, we must confess our sins. We must take an honest look at our lives, our thoughts, and our desires, and ask: do these align with what God teaches in His Word? If not, we do not justify ourselves or blame others. We repent. We exhibit contrition, that is we grieve our sin. And then, hear this clearly, we cling to Christ in faith that trusts His work of salvation.

Christ did not come only to teach the Law. He came to fulfill it. He obeyed every word of it, not only outwardly, but perfectly in even His heart and mind. And in so doing, He fulfilled the Law for you. His righteousness becomes your righteousness through faith. His obedience becomes your covering by the same. His blood has washed away your guilt.

So when the Law exposes your sin, as it surely will, you must not run away from God. Run to Christ. Run to the cross. Run to the One who fulfilled every letter of the Law and then gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for lawbreakers like us. This is the good news: that Jesus, the sinless one, was counted a transgressor so that sinners like us could be declared righteous.[6]

This is to say, besides the moral Law being consistent and still in effect in both Old and New Testaments, the Gospel is also present in both. In the Old Testament we hear of our Savior by promise and even there, as Paul says, faith is counted as righteousness.[7] 

How We Live: Under the Teaching of the Scriptures

The Christian posture is one of humility. We are learners, not masters over the Word. We receive instruction from our Lord and submit to Him in all things; in doctrine and truth, in practice and morality. And when our ideas or habits are at odds with Scripture, we submit and repent.

Jesus gives an example: Do not be angry with your fellow Christian. Do not insult them. Do not call names, even under your breath or behind closed doors. These are symptoms of a heart bent toward hatred. Instead, Jesus calls us to seek reconciliation.

This passage has traditionally applied this passage to the Lord’s Supper. We should not approach the altar for the Supper when we are unreconciled with fellow believers, especially within our congregation. Divisions arise from sin, sometimes from real offenses, sometimes from pride or false doctrine. The reason doesn’t matter so much for our consideration today as how we ought to handle it when it happens. Pursue peace. Seek forgiveness. Be reconciled.

Jesus outlines a process for this in Matthew chapter eighteen. If you are wronged, go to the person privately. If they will not listen, bring a witness. If they still will not listen, bring it to the Church. This is not optional. We are commanded to be of one mind.[8] And since this work is difficult for sinners, we must pray for strength to forgive, as Jesus taught us in the Lord's Prayer.[9]

And when you forgive, do not keep score. Do not hold onto grudges. Do not say, "I'll forgive but I won't forget,” for that is not how God forgives you. His forgiveness is full, free, and final. And if you struggle to forgive, turn to the Lord. Speak of these troubles in prayer and listen to His Word and what it teaches, even in hard matters like sins against us.

Conclusion

Not one part of Scripture will pass away until Jesus returns. Until that day, the Bible remains our authority, it is God's unchanging Word for our lives. It teaches us both Law and Gospel. It shows us our sin and reveals our Savior. It binds us and blesses us. And at its heart, it gives us Jesus, who fulfilled every word for our salvation.

So we cling to the Word. We read it. We trust it. We submit to it. And in it, we meet the One who died and rose again to redeem us.

Do not ignore the Old Testament. Do not cut out the parts of Scripture that make you uncomfortable. Do not twist Jesus's words to match modern fashions. Instead, hear the Law and tremble. Hear the Gospel and rejoice. And live in the joyful life of faith, forgiven and reconciled to God and one another.

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

[1] Matthew 5:17-18 English Standard Version. All subsequent quotations from the Scriptures are from the ESV.

[2] “Marcionites,” New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09645c.htm

[3] 2 Timothy 3:16

[4] Jeremiah 17:9

[5] Matthew 5:19

[6] Isaiah 53:12

[7] Romans 4:3

[8] Philippians 2:2

[9] Matthew 6:12