Luke 16:14-17 (NKJV) 16 The law and the prophets were until
John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and
everyone is pressing into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
One of the greatest problems in many local congregations today
is superficiality. A. The remedy for superficiality is found in the
Beatitudes! B. The famous historian Will Durant said that in any
given generation only a handfulof people make an impression on the
world that lasts more than a few years. The person who stands out
above all others, he said, is Jesus Christ. Jesus undoubtedly has
had the most powerful and permanent influence on the thought of
mankind. But, the historian went on to say, His teachings have not
had a corresponding effect on mans actions. (MacArthur, Matthew 17,
137)C. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known, but
least understood and least followed, of all the teachings of
Jesus.The Beatitudes are a collection of eight characteristics
(qualities of life) that separate children of God from the rest of
the world (Matt 5:312). These eight beatitudes describe the blessed
state of those who humbly submit themselves to the will of God.
These are not eight different groups of people (poor, mourners,
meek, etc.), but every Christian is meant to manifest every one of
these characteristics.
B. Jesus Fulfilled The Law By 1. Being The Messiah (Christ)
Foretold In The Law And Prophetsa. There are approximately 330
prophecies concerning the Christ found in the Law and the
Prophetsb. For example, De 18:15,18-19; 15The Lord your God will
raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your
brethren. Him you shall hear, . . . . . . 18I will raise up for
them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My
words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command
Him. 19And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which
He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.Is 53:1-12 5But He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His
stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; We have
turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the
iniquity of us all.2. Establishing The Foretold Kingdom Of Goda.
One example is Da 2:44b. Jesus was preaching that the fulfillment
of that prophecy was now at hand Mk 1:14-15 14Now after John was
put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the
kingdom of God, 15and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.Mark
9:1 1And He said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that there are
some standing here who will not taste death till they see the
kingdom of God present with power. (Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:5,9)3.
Establishing A New And Different Covenant (Law) For The People Of
Goda. See b. That Jesus brought in this new covenant is confirmed
inHe 8:6-13 6But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry,
inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was
established on better promises. 7For if that first covenant had
been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
8Because finding fault with them, He says: Behold, the days are
coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel and with the house of Judah 9not according to the
covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them
by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did
not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.
10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their
mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and
they shall be My people. 11None of them shall teach his neighbor,
and none his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know Me,
from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12For I will be
merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless
deeds I will remember no more. 13In that He says, A new covenant,
He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and
growing old is ready to vanish away. (Je 31:31-34 )4. Keeping It
Perfectly, Satisfying Its Demand For Justice . . . a. Jesus Christ
lived without breaking the Law . . Hebrews 4:15 15For we do not
have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but
was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.Hebrews 5:8,9
8though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which
He suffered. 9And having been perfected, He became the author of
eternal salvation to all who obey Him,1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth:b. Thus fulfilling the Law . .
.Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the
rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any
deceit in his mouth.
B. Jesus Fulfilled The Law By 1. Being The Messiah (Christ)
Foretold In The Law And Prophetsa. There are approximately 330
prophecies concerning the Christ found in the Law and the
Prophetsb. For example, De 18:15,18-19; 15The Lord your God will
raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your
brethren. Him you shall hear, . . . . . . 18I will raise up for
them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My
words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command
Him. 19And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which
He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.Is 53:1-12 5But He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His
stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; We have
turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the
iniquity of us all.2. Establishing The Foretold Kingdom Of Goda.
One example is Da 2:44b. Jesus was preaching that the fulfillment
of that prophecy was now at hand Mk 1:14-15 14Now after John was
put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the
kingdom of God, 15and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.Mark
9:1 1And He said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that there are
some standing here who will not taste death till they see the
kingdom of God present with power. (Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:5,9)3.
Establishing A New And Different Covenant (Law) For The People Of
Goda. See b. That Jesus brought in this new covenant is confirmed
inHe 8:6-13 6But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry,
inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was
established on better promises. 7For if that first covenant had
been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
8Because finding fault with them, He says: Behold, the days are
coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel and with the house of Judah 9not according to the
covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them
by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did
not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.
10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their
mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and
they shall be My people. 11None of them shall teach his neighbor,
and none his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know Me,
from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12For I will be
merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless
deeds I will remember no more. 13In that He says, A new covenant,
He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and
growing old is ready to vanish away. (Je 31:31-34 )4. Keeping It
Perfectly, Satisfying Its Demand For Justice . . . a. Jesus Christ
lived without breaking the Law . . Hebrews 4:15 15For we do not
have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but
was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.Hebrews 5:8,9
8though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which
He suffered. 9And having been perfected, He became the author of
eternal salvation to all who obey Him,1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth:b. Thus fulfilling the Law . .
.Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the
rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any
deceit in his mouth.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
III. Christ Believed In The Stability and Authority Of The Law.
Matthew 5:18 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.A. Until The Law And The Prophets Were
Fulfilled, Jesus Taught The Permanency of The LawMt 5:18 18For
assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot
or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled.a. As He said in Lk 16:17, "It is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail."b. There
would be no change at all, until it was fulfilledB. Jesus Truly
Respected The Law More So Than Did The Scribes and Pharisees -1.
For the first time in Matthew He uses the signature phrase--"Verily
(amen, truly) I say unto you"a. Truly, certainly. A word of strong
affirmation. (Barnes)b. But also bore the implication of the
authority to make it so c. "I say unto you" conveyed an air of
authority unknown among the rabbis (7:29)For example - "the
prophets tend to say 'saith the Lord' and the apostles 'It is
written,' but Jesus uses 'I say unto you,'" (Bengel, quoted by
Morris, 109). "No higher claim to an authority strictly divine
could be advanced. For when we observe how jealously Jehovah
asserts it is His exclusive prerogative to give law to men (Lev.
xviii, l-5; xix.37; xxvi. l-4, 13-16, etc.), such language as this
of our Lord will appear totally unsuitable, indeed abhorrent, from
any creature-lips" (Vos, 51).2. "Jot" and "tittle" represented the
minutest details of the Law. a. One jot. The word jot, or yodis the
name of the Hebrew letter I, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet. 1) It has been calculated that there were 66,420 yodhs in
the OT; with this many you would think that the omission of one
wouldn't be missed. 2) Christ, however, affirms that every letter
of the Law is important. b. One tittle. The Hebrew letters were
written with small points or apices, as in the letter Schin*** or
Sin ***which serve to distinguish one letter from another. 1) To
change a small point of one letter, therefore, might vary the
meaning of a word, and destroy the sense. 2) Hence the Jews were
exceedingly cautious in writing these letters, and considered the
smallest change or omission a reason for destroying the whole
manuscript when they were transcribing the Old Testament. c. The
expression, "one jot or tittle, " became proverbial, and means that
the smallest part of the law should not be destroyed. 1) Christ's
respect for God's word extended not only to each letter, but to
each pen stroke. 2) Nothing revealed Christ respect for the Law any
more than the fact He quoted it to settle virtually every important
controversy between Himself and opponents such as the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Satan himself. 3) The figure of the jot and tittle
was a memorable way to communicate His highest reverence for God's
word.
