D
oes Matthew 5:17-19 say that Yeshua (Jesus) 'did away with the law'? What exactly did Yeshua (Jesus) mean by His comments on fulfilling the law in these somewhat difficult verses? Here is a vital subject which has caused much controversy; lamentably it is also a subject which often produces much emotional heat but little in-depth theological consideration.
Let us look at this Scripture. Since there exists (unfounded) prejudice against the NIV Bible and I want to keep everybody with me for the next few minutes I have decided to use the NKJV. Okay, these are the words of Yeshua:
(Verse 17) 'Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil.
(Verse 18) For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
(Verse 19) Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:17-19 - NKJV).
The only law that was done away with was animal sacrificing. two reasons: 1, the temple was destroyed, therefore no animal sacrifices can now take place and 2, the most important reason of all, Yeshua (Jesus) was the eternal sacrifice (The lamb that was slain).