When I first became a Christian, like many, I was encouraged to start reading the Bible in the Gospels. That seems only natural. However, there is a complication we can fall into. Jesus was born under the Law and some of His teaching was correcting people's misunderstandings of the Law while we, as Christians, are not under the Law.
We use expressions like 'this side of the Cross' and 'the church was born at Pentecost.' But what does that mean? Why do we say 'this side of the cross' and then act as if there is no difference what side of the cross we are reading about?
For example, we will often want to obey Jesus when he is telling people under the Law (Jews before the cross) to do something, and then ignore Paul who is telling those who are not under the Law (us) not to do it!
To look at this we will first inoculate ourselves with some verses that tell us we are not under the Law. We can then look at some verses that show the clear distinctions between the old and new covenants. Then we will look at the verses that specifically state Jesus was teaching Law to the Jews. Then we will have a look at some examples of Jesus teaching the Law specifically to those under the Law (not us). Finally, to bring us back to our base in the new covenant of grace, we can look at some verses where Jesus speaks of the freedom we have in Him.
Please bear in mind that Jesus did not exclusively teach the Law. We can see a kind of divide. On the one hand those who came to Jesus boasting in their ability to keep the Law were shown that they fell short. (No one has ever kept God's Law except Jesus.) On the other hand, those who came to Jesus seeking mercy were given what they asked for.
We are not under the Law (the old covenant) we are under Grace (the new covenant):
'For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.' Rom 6:14
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'So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.' Rom 7:4
'Now we have been released from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.' Rom 7:6
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'For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;' Rom 8:3
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'For Christ has already ended the purpose for which God’s law was given. As a result, all who believe in Him are made righteous.' Rom 10:4
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'You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the Law. You have fallen away from grace.' Gal 5:4
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'These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.' Col 2:23
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'For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ,' Titus 2:11-13
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'Jesus sets aside the first covenant to establish the second. And by that covenant, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.' Heb 10:9b-10
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Here are a few reminders of what the bible says about the difference between the two covenants:
'Such confidence we have through Christ toward God, not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away, won’t the ministry of the Spirit be with much more glory? For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. ' 2 Cor 3:4-9
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'But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.' Heb 8:6-7
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'By calling this covenant “new,” He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.' Heb 8:13
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'For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.' Heb 9:15
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'First Jesus said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the Law. Then He said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first covenant to establish the second. And by that covenant, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.' Heb 10:8-10
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Verses that show the focus of Jesus' ministry on the Law and the people under the Law:
'Don’t think that I came to destroy the Law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the Law, until it is all fulfilled. Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.' Mat 5:17-19 (Jesus is the only person to have kept the Law and He is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven! It therefore follows that He also had to teach the Law even though He was bringing it to its fulfilment.)
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'Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' Mat 10:5-6
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'But He answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”' Mat 15:24
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'Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: “The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.' Mat 23:1-4
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'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!' Mat 23:23-24
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'Knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said,
“It is finished.”
With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.' John 19:28-30
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'You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘All the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.' God, having raised up His servant Jesus, sent Him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”' Acts 3:25-26
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'Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises He made to their ancestors. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.' Romans 15:8-9a
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'When the fullness of the time came, God sent out His Son, born to a woman, born under the Law, to buy freedom for us Jews who were slaves under the Law, that we might also receive the inheritance through the adoption of children.' Gal 4:4
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Examples of Jesus showing it is impossible to keep the Law and therefore be made right by it:
'But I tell you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be subject to judgment.' Mat 5:22a
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'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a person lustfully has already committed adultery with them in their heart.' Mat 5:28
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'If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Hell. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell.' Mat 5:29-30
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'Behold, one came to Him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.' Mat 19:16-22
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Jesus speaking of freedom from the burden of the Law:
'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.' Mat 11:28-30
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'I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved.' John 10:9a (As opposed to trying to enter through the Law)
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'If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' John 8:36
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But What About?:
'If you love me, keep my commandments' John 14:15
We could try to write this off and say this too was before the cross. However, let's not do that but instead read more into it for new covenant believers:
'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.' John 13:34 (The previous chapter to John 14:15)
Also:
'Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”' John 6:29
Now let's look at what the Bible tells new covenant believers are "His" commandments:
'This is His commandment, that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as He commanded.' 1 John 3:23
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