For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities.
Hebrews 10:1
When Jesus started His ministry, He declared: “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” (Matt. 5:17). What does it mean that He came to fulfill God’s law?
As we saw yesterday, the sacrificial system was a shadow of His sacrifice. Additionally, God’s commandments are also a shadow of His Son. He’s the embodiment of them. The law doesn’t only reveal Jesus through its sacrifices, but also through the Ten Commandments and God’s statutes.
Apart from Jesus being the embodiment of God’s law, we’re left with Peter’s words and the crushing reality of His law: “Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke [God’s law] on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:10). It’s only because Jesus fulfilled the law that we’re not under its eternal condemnation.
The law gives us the knowledge of sin and declares God’s just wrath against them (see Rom. 3:20 and 4:15). Furthermore, it also foreshadowed Jesus’ perfect righteous life as the Son of Man. It foretold Him. Amazingly, what God requires in His law He freely gives in and through His Son.
As Christians, our obedience to God’s law is only possible because we’re in Christ. It’s wholly connected to Him: “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5). It’s only when we’re united to His life that we’re able to obey God.
One more thing…
This devotional comes from It’s All about Jesus, a one-year devotional about the person and work of Jesus Christ. It’s used as a fundraiser for the spread of His gospel through 100 reputable ministries. For more info, please go to: www.happybirthdayjesuschrist.com
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