Finding Fulfillment

Matthew 5:17–20 NIV

“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 tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew

What has convinced most scholars of the genre of ancient biography is that the authors aimed to portray their subject’s character by narrating his words and deeds (5). Further, although we are well aware of our gospel authors theological agendas, they still decided to adopt Greco-Roman biographical conventions in order to explain the story of Jesus, and this suggests that they wished to convey what really happened (6). These several reasons are why most scholars hold that the “Gospels are a sub-set of the broad ancient literary genre of ‘lives,’ that is, biographies” (7). - James Bishop

A few scholars have suggested that the gospels are patterned after Greco-Roman Aretalogies. This is a “divine man” biography, the history of a famous hero that has been built up to make him a god-like person (a biography of a god-like person, Julius Caesar, for example.) The Greek word aretai means “mighty deeds.” Aretalogies are the records of the mighty deeds of a god or hero. An example from the second century is Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana. When Josephus describes Moses in Against Apion 2:154-158 he expands the praise beyond the biblical material. Philo of Alexandria also glorifies Moses as the greatest sage and lawgiver, a divine-man who is both priest and prophet. (See David L. Tiede, “Aretalogy” in ABD 1:372-3.) - Phillip J. Long

What has convinced most scholars of the genre of ancient biography is that the authors aimed to portray their subject’s character by narrating his words and deeds (5). Further, although we are well aware of our gospel authors theological agendas, they still decided to adopt Greco-Roman biographical conventions in order to explain the story of Jesus, and this suggests that they wished to convey what really happened (6). These several reasons are why most scholars hold that the “Gospels are a sub-set of the broad ancient literary genre of ‘lives,’ that is, biographies” (7). - James Bishop

The Gospels were not called “biographies” but “gospels” and they were called “gospels” because they were a unique kind of communication (gospeling) that becomes a different kind of literature (a genre). That is, they were called “gospels” because they were designed not simply to tell the life of Jesus but to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah, the Lord, the living, crucified, and resurrected one. - Scott McKnight

The Gospels are...

Historical - Like the Book of Exodus, like Deuteronomistic History.

Biographical - They have some of the same features as ancient biographies.

Theological - Their purpose is to continue the storyline of God’s activity in this world.

The Gospels are mostly Narrative, but also contain Jesus’ teaching (Prose and Parables). The two are married. -Not the Gospel of Thomas. We see a living-breathing Wisdom and Torah weaved through the Acts of the Life of Jesus.

Gospel Storyline Illustration.

What are the Gospel’s function in the overall Biblical Story.

Jesus tells us in this passage the function of his life and ministry in the Scriptures.

You now know about the “Law,” and you know about the “Prophets.”

Torah, Prophets, Writings -

There are two dangers in Christianity and Judaism.

1 Danger - Getting rid of the O.T. Story because we now have Jesus who has freed us from sin - Jesus says, Not so fast....

2 Danger - Continue to Legalistically obey the O.T. laws externally like the Pharisees wanted to do.

To Danger 1: Jesus says, none of it can you dishonor, all of the O.T. has its place, and its meaning and should be studied and learned, and taught, and especially for this particular reason - It points to Jesus and the need for Jesus in redemption. - Notice how Jesus sees the Law not just as a set of rules, but a storyline is implied “until all takes place.” (The over-arching story of redemption).

To Danger 2: Legalistic following. Jesus is not advocating a strict adherence to every law as it was stated in the O.T. - In some ways this would be radically difficult or even impossible in our day and culture.

example: "And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God."

What Jesus is saying he fulfills the Torah and the Prophets in two ways.

He completes the story-line, He fulfills the story line.

Demonstrate the Symbols of the Overarching Story - 3 more demonstrators.

He re-enacts the Story of the O.T. w/ the exception of sinlessness.

Birth with slaughter of children - Moses.

Escape to Egypt - Like the people of Israel.

Baptism in the Jordan - Red Sea Baptism - Identifies with the story line.

40 Days Temptation in the Wilderness - 40 Years wandering in the Desert.

Giving the Kingdom Charter and Law interpretation from a Mountain - Moses giving the law on the top of a Mountain.

Jesus’ life bringing blessing and turning people to God - Israel turning from God.

Jesus’ Death, identifying with exile “Taking the punishment,”

Jesus’ Resurrection - Return from Exile

Jesus is the King for eternity promised to David.

He Completes the Law in this way.

Ceremonial Law - Points to Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice. Book of Hebrews then says we do not need to perform these laws, but they must be taught so we understand how Jesus has fulfilled them.

Moral Law - Jesus is the sinless righteous one who is the only human able to fulfill the Morality of the Law and be Just...

In this way Jesus says our righteousness must go beyond the Pharisees.

Jesus is the one who applies his righteousness to us who put their trust in him. - We need his righteousness. - He does not say that in this passage, you must read the rest of the Gospel’s to find that out, and the Letters. He is just pointing us

Filling Full the meaning of the Moral Law and the Civil Laws of Israel - No rule is to be ignored.

Notice how Jesus goes beyond the written rule - Murder is about Anger, Sexual immorality is about lust, etc… - Jesus goes beyond the written rule to our heart.

He wants us to see God’s heart behind the rule.

Let’s take the vineyard rule that I mentioned before.

How did this law help the Israelites Love God?

How did this law help the Israelites Love their neighbor?

How Can we apply the heart of that law in our context?

Love INC Missional Community

The heart of Generosity - Example

Hand2Hand

Offering to buy someone food

Advocating for Laws in our land that give a dignified hand up.

Works Progress Administration - While FDR believed in the elementary principles of justice and fairness, he also expressed disdain for doling out welfare to otherwise able workers. So, in return for monetary aid, WPA workers built highways, schools, hospitals, airports and playgrounds. They restored theaters–such as the Dock Street Theater in Charleston, S.C.–and built the ski lodge at Oregon’s Mt. Hood. The WPA also put actors, writers and other creative arts professionals back to work by sponsoring federally funded plays, art projects, such as murals on public buildings, and literary publications. FDR safeguarded private enterprise from competition with WPA projects by including a provision in the act that placed wage and price controls on federally funded products or services.

Conclusion:

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Chatechism: Q&A 3, 4, 19, 22, 23 Belgic Confession: Articles 3-5, 7, 25 Canons of Dort: Head I, Article 3; Head II, Article 5; Head III & IV, Articles 5, 8, 17; Head V, Article 14

My hope is that you see the Gospels in light of the overarching story of What God is doing in this World. Many stories in our world have a hero. God’s story’s hero is Jesus.

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Chatechism: Q&A 3, 4, 19, 22, 23 Belgic Confession: Articles 3-5, 7, 25 Canons of Dort: Head I, Article 3; Head II, Article 5; Head III & IV, Articles 5, 8, 17; Head V, Article 14

Finding Fulfillment

11-What Kind of Literature are the Gospels?

The Gospels Fulfill the Story of the Old Testament.

12-The Gospels Fulfill the Story of the Old Testament.

Completing

Completing

Completing

Filling Full