Jesus Fulfills What Was Written ... Unpacking the Message of Verse Matthew 5:17
- Anthony Speciale
- Jul 19
- 8 min read
Greetings,
Jesus Fulfills What Was Written
“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.” — Matthew 5:17
Unpacking the Message of Verse Matthew 5:17
Matthew 5:17—“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”—is a profoundly rich verse that bridges the Old and New Testaments and reveals the continuity of God’s redemptive plan. This verse invites us to rethink our relationship with Scripture, obedience, and the person of Jesus Christ Himself.
When Jesus said He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, He was speaking to a Jewish audience who deeply revered the Torah—the first five books of the Old Testament—and the teachings of the prophets. Many of these listeners may have feared that this radical new teacher was proposing something contrary to Moses, something that would undermine centuries of covenantal identity. Jesus addresses this directly: He is not the end of the Law but its completion, the living embodiment of all it pointed to.
To fulfill the Law means more than mere obedience; it means embodying its deepest purpose and intent. Where the Law revealed God’s holiness and our need for redemption, Jesus became that holiness and offered the redemption the Law anticipated. Every command, every sacrificial system, every prophecy—Jesus became the perfect realization of all of it.
This verse helps us grasp that God's Word is not a patchwork of old and new ideas, but a unified story culminating in Christ. The Law was not a failed attempt at righteousness, and grace is not a divine plan B. Jesus’ fulfillment doesn’t mean the Law is obsolete; it means it has reached its purpose in Him. He becomes our righteousness, our sacrifice, and our guide in how to live rightly before God.
Understanding this should deeply impact how we approach the Old Testament. Many modern readers treat it as irrelevant or archaic, but Matthew 5:17 compels us to revisit it with Christ-centered eyes. Every page becomes a shadow of the Savior, every law a signpost to the gospel, every prophet a witness to what Christ would ultimately accomplish.
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This also reshapes our understanding of obedience. We're not called to a legalistic checklist to earn favor, but to live in the light of what Christ has already fulfilled. Through the Spirit, we are empowered not to replace the Law with grace, but to live out the Law’s true intention—love of God and neighbor—because we have been transformed by grace.
Additionally, this verse calls for reverence toward God’s unchanging Word. Jesus didn’t dismiss or diminish the Scriptures—He elevated them. In a time when truth is often seen as flexible or culturally negotiable, Jesus’ words challenge us to hold fast to Scripture as both authoritative and alive. We are not meant to interpret God’s Word through the lens of convenience or modern relevance but to allow it to interpret us.
Matthew 5:17 also challenges the human tendency to pit grace against law. We often think of the Law as strict and grace as lenient, but Jesus embodies both justice and mercy. He fulfills the requirements of justice while offering us the mercy we could never earn. That tension, resolved only in Christ, should stir us to awe.
In practical life, this verse can anchor us in seasons of doubt or confusion about God’s direction. If Christ is the fulfillment of all things, then we can trust that our lives—when surrendered to Him—are not random or fragmented, but part of His perfect design. Just as Scripture is a story fulfilled in Christ, so too are our lives stories being completed in Him.
Matthew 5:17 calls us to love the Scriptures more deeply, live more intentionally, and see Jesus as the central thread through all of history. It’s a call to unity between head and heart, past and present, justice and mercy—found perfectly in Christ.
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This verse is often cited in discussions about financial planning and legacy, it's important to remember that the Bible also emphasizes the importance of giving to those in need and being content with what one has, rather than accumulating wealth for its own sake.
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Matthew 6:19-21
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Here’s a 7-day weekly journaling plan based on the powerful words of Matthew 5:17:
“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.”
This verse is a cornerstone of understanding Christ's purpose and the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. The goal of this journaling plan is to guide you into deeper reflection on God’s character, His unchanging Word, the unity of Scripture, and your personal response to living in alignment with Christ.
Day 1: The Fulfillment, Not the Abolishment
Reflection: Jesus didn’t come to remove the Law but to embody and fulfill it. Reflect on what it means that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. How does this elevate both the Old Testament and your understanding of grace?
Journal Prompt: What is my current understanding of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments? How does seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law reshape my view of Scripture?
Day 2: The Purpose of the Law
Reflection: Consider the intent of God’s Law—it was never about legalism but about reflecting His holiness and character.
Journal Prompt: In what ways do I view God’s commands as burdensome or as blessings? How can I better see them as a guide toward freedom, not restraint?
Day 3: Jesus, the Living Word
Reflection: The Law pointed to the righteousness of God, and Jesus is that righteousness in human form. He didn’t merely teach it—He lived it perfectly.
Journal Prompt: Where in my life do I try to “do better” apart from Jesus? How can I lean on Christ as my example and strength in fulfilling what God requires?
Day 4: Law and Grace in Balance
Reflection: Grace doesn’t eliminate the call to holiness—it empowers it. Jesus fulfilled the Law, and now by His Spirit, we are enabled to live lives pleasing to God.
Journal Prompt: Am I tempted to swing too far toward legalism or too far toward cheap grace? What would a grace-filled, obedient walk with God look like in my daily routine?
Day 5: The Prophets Pointed to Him
Reflection: From Moses to Isaiah, the prophets foretold Christ’s coming. His arrival wasn’t a detour—it was the plan all along.
Journal Prompt: How does knowing that Jesus was foretold through centuries of prophecy increase my trust in God’s Word and plan?
Day 6: My Role in God’s Ongoing Story
Reflection: Jesus fulfilled the Law, but He also invites us to live in His footsteps. We become part of His ongoing fulfillment in how we love, serve, and obey.
Journal Prompt: How am I reflecting Christ to others? Where do I need to realign my actions or heart with God’s purposes?
Day 7: Celebration of the Covenant
Reflection: God’s promises, His Law, and the prophetic voice were all fulfilled in Christ—offering us access to a new and eternal covenant.
Journal Prompt: Write a prayer of gratitude today. Thank Jesus for fulfilling what we could never fulfill ourselves, and ask the Spirit to guide you in walking faithfully in His truth.
Let this journaling week not only deepen your appreciation for Jesus' mission but stir your heart toward greater awe of the Word—from Genesis to Revelation. God's story is one, and you're part of it.
Closing thoughts as we pray for those reading or hearing this verse today...
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Jesus Fulfills What Was Written
There’s a powerful assurance in knowing that God’s plan is not only perfect—but fulfilled in Jesus.
“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.” — Matthew 5:17
Jesus didn't come to discard what came before, but to complete it with grace, truth, and redemption. Every command, every prophecy, every word spoken through the ages finds its ultimate meaning in Him.
This truth reminds us that our faith is not disconnected from the foundation laid in Scripture. It’s deeply rooted, divinely orchestrated, and eternally relevant.
As followers of Christ, may we walk in that fulfillment daily—honoring God’s Word, living by the Spirit, and shining the light of Christ in a world desperate for truth.
Stay Faithful to the Word and Anchored in Christ 🙏🏻
Be Relentless In Pursuit Of The Will
Which God Has Set Upon Your Life,
❤️ Anthony and Anna Speciale
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