“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Gospel of Matthew
In our Canadian legal system, there is a principal in place called "substance versus form". In order to arrive at a correct decision, the courts will look at two things:
1. The substance of the law which means examining the intention or purpose for putting the law in place. This if often referred to as examining the spirit of the law.
2. The form of the law which means examining the words to see what the rule is saying literally. This is usually considered the easiest way of administering the law because the judge resorts to an examination of words, and not the ambiguous intentions of the legislators.
It's surprising to know that in North America, the courts give a preference to the form of the law. They rely more on lawyers using the correct words to properly describe the law. However, in Europe and Asia, the counts will give preference to the substance of the law. They would examine more closely the purpose or the intent of the legislation.
In the Gospel scripture above, Jesus is saying something that many may believe to be contradictory to the way He acted. Jesus' greatest adversaries were the Scribes and the Pharisees, the ones who knew the Old Testament law and followed it rigidly. According to the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus was always taking liberty with the law. Jesus saw the Scribes and Pharisees as being rigid, inflexible, and uncompassionate in the way they applied their literal interpretations when it came to the matters of law and their observance.
Yet, Matthew has Jesus saying: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill."
In fact he says: "If anyone infringes even one of the least of these rules, and teaches others to do the same will be considered least in the Kingdom of heaven." So what is happening here?
Jesus came to reveal the true meaning of Old Testament law, to express its substance, to express what the law intended to say, to express its Spirit. "I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill". The Scribes and the Pharisees were only interested in following the form of the law. In this way, they could justify themselves by their exactness. "Look what "I" am able to achieve."
God's true law is relational. It's purpose is to draw us out of "self" so as to enter into relatedness with God and others. Jesus' focus was always centered on one's relationship with the Father, and one's relationship with others, particularly with the community of faith. That's why love, compassion, forgiveness, coming to the assistance of those in distress was always the focus of Jesus' life in ministry. He does not command us to do it right. He commands us to love one another.
When we see the law in this way, then we understand why Jesus would say that those who infringe even the least of these commandments or teaches others to do the same will be least in the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is made visible through our actions of love that makes God visible in the world. Jesus is our authority on the "substance" or "spirit" of Old Testament law, and He brings it to life. He accomplishes it as He desires us to accomplish it through our actions of love, compassion and forgiveness. Doing it right may make us look good. Acting out of compassion, love, and forgiveness heals and transforms relationships.
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