Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
—Matthew 5:17

Reflection

The Council of Jerusalem left a permanent mark on history. Its decision to allow Gentile believers to remain Gentile rather than becoming Jewish changed not only the church but also the entire world from that day forward. The outcome paved the way for a massive influx of Gentile believers and set the stage for the rise of Christianity as a global movement.

But the early church leaders were all Jewish. How could they accept non-Jews into the fold without fearing that the Jewishness of this Jesus movement would begin to be affected or, dare we say, lost?

The early Jewish believers were, in fact, concerned about losing the Jewishness of their faith. This is why James concluded his statement by saying, “For Moses has had in every city since early generations those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” (Acts 15:21)

What did the preaching of Moses have to do with Gentiles not becoming Jewish? It had everything to do with it.

James was making a bold statement of faith. He was absolutely confident that these Gentiles who had now come into relationship with the God of Israel would get more understanding of who He is, even if they did not become Jewish and follow all the Jewish ways.

How could Jesus’ brother be so assured of this? Because the Torah, Moses’ five foundational books revealing who God was, was being read each week. James knew that every time the Tanakh was opened, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be shown. The more Gentiles heard or read the Jewish Bible in the synagogue, the more they would come to know this Jewish God and His ways.

And James was right.

When Gentiles were first saved, one of the main sources of their education as followers of Jesus was the synagogue. This was the epicenter for Jewish learning during this era, as rabbis had become the teachers and guardians of the Tanakh.

To learn more about following Jesus, then, they needed to know more about the very Law and Prophets He came to fulfill. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17)

Because Jesus was the Tanakh’s fulfillment, those who claimed to follow Him would benefit from knowing the Tanakh, even if they were not bound to the Law in the way God’s people had previously been. As we open the Scriptures, we see more clearly the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and we gain a deeper understanding of the One whom Jesus came to reveal and fulfill.

Application

• Read the Law and the Prophets with a desire to know more deeply the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• As you follow Jesus, look for how the Tanakh reveals His identity, His ways, and the Scriptures He came to fulfill.

Prayer

Father, give me a hunger to know You as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As I open the Scriptures, reveal more of who You are and help me understand Your ways. Show me how the Law and the Prophets point to Jesus and find their fulfillment in Him. Keep me from separating Messiah from the Scriptures that reveal Him. Lead me into a deeper, clearer relationship with You through Your Word. Amen.