Foundations Paper
Shelby Beam
FDN111
Argumentative Essay
October 29, 2014
Does Jesus Reject the Old Testament Law in The Sermon on the Mount? Jesus does not regret the Old Testament Law in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus states in the Sermon on the Mount, that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Also, the law was meant to be interpreted differently in the New Testament because of Jesus. Even though at some points in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus rephrases the commandments, it does not mean that he is rejecting all of them in their entirety. So, looking right at the surface of the Sermon on the Mount, it seems like Jesus is rewriting the commandments, but if we dig a little deeper, the realization of the commandments true meanings arise. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come to fulfill,” (179). Jesus was sent to the Earth to fulfill the law. When you read in the Old Testament, you begin to see a pattern of failure in man. If man were perfect, there would be no need for a savior. David, in the Old Testament, was said to be a man after God’s own heart, but he couldn’t abstain from sin. He committed adultery and he arranged a man’s death. So, since there wasn’t anyone that could not sin, someone had to pay for it. That is why we have Jesus. He came, lived a perfect life, and died an innocent man so that we could be free. When I say a perfect life, I mean that he fulfilled the law in its entirety. He didn’t just fulfill it outwardly, he did inwardly as well. In the New Testament he brings forth a deeper meaning to the Old Testament law and Commandments. While on Earth, he lived a life that all men should model their lives after. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains this lifestyle. “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?” (179). Here Jesus is telling people to live their lives in an honorable manner so that we can be strong and able to tell others of God. Jesus
FDN111
Argumentative Essay
October 29, 2014
Does Jesus Reject the Old Testament Law in The Sermon on the Mount? Jesus does not regret the Old Testament Law in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus states in the Sermon on the Mount, that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Also, the law was meant to be interpreted differently in the New Testament because of Jesus. Even though at some points in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus rephrases the commandments, it does not mean that he is rejecting all of them in their entirety. So, looking right at the surface of the Sermon on the Mount, it seems like Jesus is rewriting the commandments, but if we dig a little deeper, the realization of the commandments true meanings arise. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come to fulfill,” (179). Jesus was sent to the Earth to fulfill the law. When you read in the Old Testament, you begin to see a pattern of failure in man. If man were perfect, there would be no need for a savior. David, in the Old Testament, was said to be a man after God’s own heart, but he couldn’t abstain from sin. He committed adultery and he arranged a man’s death. So, since there wasn’t anyone that could not sin, someone had to pay for it. That is why we have Jesus. He came, lived a perfect life, and died an innocent man so that we could be free. When I say a perfect life, I mean that he fulfilled the law in its entirety. He didn’t just fulfill it outwardly, he did inwardly as well. In the New Testament he brings forth a deeper meaning to the Old Testament law and Commandments. While on Earth, he lived a life that all men should model their lives after. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains this lifestyle. “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?” (179). Here Jesus is telling people to live their lives in an honorable manner so that we can be strong and able to tell others of God. Jesus