Christ Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law: The Turning Point of Redemption

Christ Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law: The Turning Point of Redemption
The story of humanity’s relationship with God has always been about His pursuit to reconcile His creation to Himself. Central to this story is the Law—a divine standard given through Moses to reveal God’s holiness and humanity’s brokenness. Yet, the Law was not the final chapter. It was a pointer, a preparation, and a precursor to something greater. That greater fulfillment is Christ Jesus, who, through His life, death, and resurrection, brought the Law to its ultimate purpose. Let’s explore this profound truth through the lens of Scripture, history, and the transformative work of Christ.
1. The Law in Effect Until John the Baptist
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached.” – Luke 16:16
The timeline of salvation history pivots around a significant moment: the arrival of John the Baptist. Before him, the Law governed the lives of God’s people, serving as both a guide and a guardian. The Law revealed God’s standards for righteousness, but it also highlighted humanity’s inability to meet those standards.
John the Baptist represents a prophetic bridge between two eras. His ministry was one of preparation—a call to repentance as he announced the imminent arrival of the Messiah. He declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). With John, the era of the Law began to fade, and the kingdom of God entered the spotlight.
Imagine the anticipation of the people as John preached. The weight of the Law, with its demands and sacrifices, had been their reality for generations. Yet, here was a messenger proclaiming that something new was at hand. The Law, which had been their guardian, was about to find its fulfillment in the one John baptized in the Jordan River: Jesus Christ.
2. The Church and the Law of Moses
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” – Romans 6:14
The early church faced a monumental question: Is adherence to the Law of Moses required for salvation? This issue came to a head in Acts 15 at the Council of Jerusalem. Certain believers from a Jewish background insisted that Gentile converts must follow the Law, particularly circumcision, to be saved.
The apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, decisively concluded that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by the works of the Law. Peter declared, “Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will” (Acts 15:10-11).
This marked a revolutionary shift. The Law, while still valuable for teaching and moral guidance, was no longer binding as a means of justification. The church was called to live under grace, guided by the Spirit rather than bound by the letter of the Law.
This transition isn’t about dismissing the Law as irrelevant but understanding its role in the grand narrative. The Law’s purpose was to lead people to Christ, and once faith in Him is established, the burden of legalistic observance is lifted. It’s like completing a rigorous course of study—the lessons remain, but the student moves on to apply them in a transformed life.
3. Christ Fulfilled the Requirements of the Law
“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’ relationship with the Law is not one of opposition but fulfillment. Every commandment, every sacrifice, and every festival pointed forward to Him. Let’s explore how He fulfilled the Law in three profound ways:
a) His Perfect Obedience
Jesus lived a sinless life, perfectly obeying every aspect of the Law. Where humanity failed, He succeeded. His obedience was not merely external but flowed from a heart fully aligned with the Father’s will. He embodied the righteousness the Law demanded, qualifying Him to be the spotless Lamb of God.
b) His Sacrificial Death
The sacrificial system of the Old Testament was a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice to come. Every lamb slain on the altar foreshadowed the Lamb of God. Hebrews 10:4 declares, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” These sacrifices were temporary coverings for sin, but Jesus’ death was the once-for-all atonement that fully satisfied the Law’s demands.
c) His Teachings and Ministry
Jesus expanded and deepened the understanding of the Law. In the Sermon on the Mount, He said, “You have heard that it was said… But I say to you…” (Matthew 5:21-22). He revealed that the Law was not just about external actions but the condition of the heart. Anger equates to murder; lust equates to adultery. Jesus brought the Law to its fullest expression, revealing its spiritual depth and pointing to Himself as the solution for human inability.
4. Christ Abolished the Law by His Death
“By abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace.” – Ephesians 2:15
Christ’s death on the cross marked the end of the Law’s dominion. This doesn’t mean the Law was destroyed but that its role as a covenant came to an end. Let’s unpack what this means for us today:
a) The End of Legalism
Through His death, Christ dismantled the system of works-based righteousness. Romans 10:4 proclaims, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” The endless cycle of striving to earn God’s favor is replaced by the gift of grace.
b) Unity Through Grace
Ephesians 2:15 speaks of Christ creating one new humanity out of Jews and Gentiles. The Law, which once served as a dividing wall, is abolished in Christ. In Him, all believers are united, not by adherence to rules but by the transformative power of grace.
c) Freedom from the Curse
The Law carried a curse for those who failed to keep it (Deuteronomy 27:26). Galatians 3:13 declares, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” His death breaks the curse, freeing believers to live in the liberty of the Spirit.
Living in the Fulfillment of the Law
So, what does it mean for us to live in the fulfillment of the Law? It means embracing a life shaped by love, grace, and the Spirit. Jesus summarized the Law with two commandments:
  1. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
  2. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
This love is not self-generated but flows from the Spirit who dwells in us. Romans 8:4 explains, “In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
The Law Fulfilled, Grace Abounds
Christ Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law—not as its destroyer but as its completion. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He satisfied every demand, lifted every burden, and ushered in an era of grace.
For us, this fulfillment is both a challenge and an invitation. It challenges us to abandon self-reliance and legalism. It invites us into a relationship with the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf. In Christ, we find freedom, unity, and the power to live a life that reflects His love and glory.
Let the Law’s fulfillment lead us to gratitude and worship, for it points us to the Savior who accomplished what we never could. And in Him, we are made complete.

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