Jesus did not come to abolish the law.

In ancient times, under the old regime, the only real law was the king’s will. He possessed all the power, and therefore it was said: if the king wants it, the law wants it. The current uncrowned “kings”—the powerful, the rich, the solvent— take it much more personally. They have well-paid lawyers and judges who always help them beat the system. In addition, these “self-crowned” brazenly laugh in the face of anyone normal. Normal is someone who respects rules, regulations, and laws. The current situation is even more chaotic.

Honoré de Balzac put it aptly: Laws are like spider webs; big flies fly through, but small ones get caught. This approach is what makes current legislation live at a high level. Those who should protect man and his uniqueness also do very well. The law is supposed to be the same for everyone, but in reality, its application remains highly arbitrary, especially in many democratic countries today. It is comforting to know that in Christ’s kingdom, things will be different. 

Jesus explains the relationship between God’s moral principles, the Mosaic Law, and the traditions. 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. The Law and the Prophets” is a term that refers to all the teachings contained in the Old Testament. Jesus confirms the authority of Scripture and at the same time explains how to interpret and apply it now that he has come to offer the Jews the restoration of the Davidic kingdom on earth. One fairly widespread idea is that Jesus’ commandments differed from those of Moses. On the contrary, Jesus categorically affirmed his submission to all the Scriptures that existed in his time, the Old Testament. 

A contemporary exegete wrote, “Why then do we say that he came to fulfill the law? Look: the fruit does not destroy the flower. Spring awakens all nature to life. Soon, everything will be green. Seedlings will grow in the gardens, and trees will turn green. I will only mention strawberries and cherries. We do not have them in the garden only because of the beautiful flowers. We are waiting for delicious, sweet strawberries and cherries.

These delicious delicacies do not destroy the flower, but they fulfill it. It all depends on what we mean by the term “fulfillment.” It is clear that if we mean only a literal adaptation to the law, then Jesus did not come to fulfill it. However, if we mean fulfillment as bringing something to perfection, then the Messiah came to fulfill the law of Moses. And the term “fulfillment” is precisely intended to refute the misconceptions of those who might mistake this fulfillment for abrogation, denial, or betrayal. It can be paraphrased as if Jesus said, “The fruit does not destroy the flower but fills it, completes it”. Similarly, we are led to understand that the Good News of Jesus Christ does not abolish Judaism but fulfills it, perfects it, and leads to its full realization.

Therefore, according to Jesus, fulfilling the Law that commands “you shall not kill” is insufficient. We must also eliminate aggression, contempt for others, insults, and revenge from our lives. Certainly, those who do not kill fulfill the Law, but if they remain violent, God, who desires to build a more human life with us, does not yet reign in their hearts. According to some observers, a new language is spreading in today’s society that reflects increased aggression. Insulting insults, uttered with the sole aim of humiliating, belittling, or hurting, are increasingly common. These words stem from rejection, resentment, hatred, or the desire for revenge.

On the other hand, conversations are often full of unfair words that express condemnation and sow suspicion. Words spoken without love and respect poison coexistence and cause harm. Words that almost always stem from irritation, pettiness, or baseness. Such behavior is not just a social phenomenon. It is also a serious problem within the Church. Pope Francis was alarmed to see divisions, conflicts, and confrontations of “Christians at war with other Christians.” This state of affairs is so contrary to the Gospel that he felt compelled to issue an urgent appeal: “No to war among us”! In this Lenten season, let us ask for the grace to listen and do what Jesus tells us!