The Gospel of Matthew Essay Sample

The Hebrew Bible is the foundational text of the Abrahamic religions. It lays out the basic precepts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and is the primary source of their ethical systems. The ethical principles laid down in the Hebrew Bible form the basis for Western ethical systems, including the tradition and the Greek philosophy of Athenian ethics. The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and the first book of the Christian Bible. It is the second-most-read book in the Christian Bible and is the second-most-translated book in the Christian Bible after the Bible itself. This paper aims to interpret passage 5:17 of the Gospel of Matthew and associate it with Jesus's message of the ethical principles laid down in the Hebrew Bible. Throughout the paper, it is implied that through the passage, "Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things, but to fulfill them" (Gospel of Matthew 5:17) God sheds light on His purpose and the essence of God's Word while fulfilling the Law through The Ten Commandments. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is presented as continuing the ethical teachings of the Hebrew Bible, which he interprets as being laid down by God. The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of Jesus's ministry on earth. The book contains the first records of Jesus's teachings and miracles, such as walking on water, healing the sick, and raising the dead. Matthew 5:17 establishes a crucial point of understanding the importance of following a lawful and pure lifestyle. To accomplish so, Jesus initially explains that the measure of purity in heaven is beyond human comprehension. His goal is not to abolish Moses' law but rather to fulfill the reason for which they were established. One of Jesus' central teachings is that man cannot earn redemption since we can never aspire to be good. Jesus fulfilled the moral requirements by leading a flawless life; he fulfilled the ceremonial regulations by dying as a sacrificial saviour. As supported throughout the paper, Jesus did not come to overthrow the previous religious order but rather to build on it. In essence, he lived by The 10 Commandments. Jesus' message to the ethical principles laid down in the Hebrew Bible as the passages referred to the biblical prophets advise individuals on how to partake in a moral life; they were the Ten Commandments and, in essence, the guidelines for a just life. The Beatitudes are found inside the Book of Matthew. They were entrusted to Moses in order for him to lead individuals closer to God. They state not to worship any other God; do not make any graven images of God; do not use God's name in vain; keep the Sabbath; honour your parents; do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not perjure yourself, and do not covet other people's belongings. In summary, The Ten Commandments define worship norms and prohibit crimes like murder, theft, and adultery. They mirror the laws set at the time. Jesus was born because no one on earth could ever satisfy God's flawless law. Before Jesus, no human being has ever cherished God and neighbour properly. Once Jesus climbed up on a mountain in Galilee, he, like Moses, gave the laws. Jesus' law was not a repeal of the Exodus laws but rather the completion and a perfect illustration of what the Commandments were to be: a means to love God and neighbour from the heart (Mt. 5:17). A method for Jesus' disciples to worship God and humanity so that "they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Mt. 5:16). By sacrificing his own life, Jesus eventually fulfils God's complete law. In order to comprehend Jesus' relationship with the law, one needs to recognize that he upheld the law instead of abolishing it. Jesus met the requirements of the law, yet he never criticized those who broke it. He exhibited this by interpreting and enforcing the law. Jesus lived the portrayed lifestyle in The Ten Commandments. When Jesus said, "Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things, but to fulfill them" (Gospel of Matthew 5:17), he was referring to the commandments set to prevent individuals from breaking the laws. For instance, stealing is a crime. The tenth of The Ten Commandments prevents unlawful acts of stealing by urging us to be content with what we have rather than desire what others have. The Commandments were advocated to fulfill the laws to the advantage of his people. Jesus was neither removing nor opposing the law nor adding to it. The law remains completely authoritative and requires the utmost respect from all. When Jesus preached, he explained the fundamental purpose and objective of the laws. He revealed God's ultimate intention for His children to be defined by obedience and righteousness, which were taught through Jesus's lessons and example. As illustrated before, The Ten Commandments are evidence of Jesus's lifework of fulfilling all the law. The law provides witness to God's grace, foreshadowing its fulfillment and culminating in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rather than abolishing the law, the Gospel fulfills it by allowing it to be understood in its appropriate context. Overall, the Mosaic Law begins with The Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are the first verses of the Bible, which contain God's basic laws for humanity. They are one of the most well-known parts of the Bible. When Jesus said, "Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things, but to fulfill them" (Gospel of Matthew 5:17), he was referring to contributing to the original laws through The Ten Commandments, to his people's advantage by setting guidelines to prevent them from committing unlawful acts. Throughout his life, Jesus lived by The Commandments as an example for his people.