“The one who espouses [such a] false teaching usually begins by saying that he discounts both the Old Testament and the writings of Paul and adheres only to the four Gospels.”

 

Well, some folks might indeed do this, Lucy, and yet I am certainly not one of them.  To the contrary, just like Jesus before me, I support & adhere fully to all the Old Testament laws that uphold The Way of Christ.  I support & devoutly apply all the amended versions thereof that Jesus himself amended, and I firmly discard all the ones that Jesus firmly discarded; something, by the way, that the Bible itself encourages us all to do – you & yours included (see Hebrews 8:8-13).  And as it turns out, I do the very same thing with the authentic letters of Paul, as well as the rest of the New Testament writings – adhering to the verses that harmonize with the teachings of Jesus, and gently discarding the verses that blasphemously contradict the same; something, by the way, that the Bible itself itself encourages as well (see Matthew 15:14, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 & 2 John 1:9) … And this makes sense, doesn’t it?  For after all, Jesus repeatedly said that we were to abide in his teachings, and thereby follow him!

P.S.  Even though I have already offered you a massive proof that shows quite clearly how Jesus was not a literal supporter of the Old Testament laws, but rather was a radical REFORMER thereof, it appears you haven’t read it yet, so I will share it with you again now … enJOY!

 

For starters, it is important for the earnest student  of the Scriptures (if not the sincere follower of Christ) to consider the following general contrasts between the Old Testament texts and the teachings of Jesus:

 

*Contrast #01)   The Old Testament portrays God as a supporter of war (see Exodus 15:3, Exodus 23:27 & Psalm 137:7-9), while Jesus tells us both that “Blessed are the Peacemakers” (see Matthew 5:9) and that we are to Love our enemies, “for [his heavenly Father] makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good, and sends rain both to the righteous and the unrighteous” (see Matthew 5:44-47 – see also Luke 6:35-36).

*Contrast #02)  The Old Testament “God” advocates the use of the death penalty (see Exodus 21:12-20 & Exodus 24:16 et al), allows for the robbing (see Exodus 12:35-36) and the pillaging (see Numbers 31:9-15) of those defeated in battle, and appears to have effectuated a wickedly murderous pogrom during the original Passover (see Exodus 11:4-6) – while Jesus states very clearly that “God judges no one” (see John 5:22 – and also John 8:15, as well as Jesus’ Peace-full Passover statements in Matthew 26:26-28), and that we are to forgive all those who trespass against us (see Matthew 18:21-22, Luke 17:3-4 & John 8:7 et al).

*Contrast #03)  In addition, in the Old Testament God seems to support the adulteries of both Abraham (Genesis 20:1-18) & Isaac (Genesis 26:6-11), as well as Moses’ lies to the Pharaoh (see Exodus 5:1 & Exodus 9:27) – while Jesus succinctly and simply champions both monogamy (Matthew 19:6) & speaking to others with flagrant honesty (see Matthew 5:37, in addition to his many denouncements of hypocrisy found throughout the Gospels).

 

These basic discrepancies (and others like them) have tempted many readers to assume that the two Testaments simply contradict one another.   Even Paul succumbed to such hasty thinking (where he claimed – among aother things – that, “Jesus is the end of the Law” ~ Romans 10:4) … And yet an in-depth analysis of both the statements & the actions of Jesus Christ in the Gospels (in the case that follows, citing the Gospel of Matthew) shows a significantly different reality:  namely, that Jesus’ theology consistently and purposefully amended (or “honed” or “perfected” or “cleansed” or “FULL-filled”; the more accurate definitions of plerosai, the Greek word translated as “fulfilled” in Matthew 5:17-18 – see Strong’s #4137) the spiritual potency of the traditional teachings of Judaism found in the Old Testament – and that he did so in three distinctive ways …

 

First of all, realize that Jesus “pruned” (& thus in effect discarded) non-functioning Old Testament laws & regulations (by either negating them verbally &/or violating them actively) …

Consider the following examples thereof:

 

*In Matthew 5:40 Jesus alludes to violating the Old Testament law against keeping another’s cloak overnight (see Exodus 22:26-27 & Deuteronomy 24:12-13), as well as the literal reading of the Old Testament law against denuding one of close kin (see Leviticus 18:6).

 

*In Matthew 6:16-18 (suffering silently) Jesus seemingly negates the Old Testament law commanding a Jew to cry out to God when in need (see Numbers 10:9).

 

*In Matthew 6:25-26 & Matthew 26:31-33 Jesus seems to make irrelevant the Old Testament regulations regarding food (see Leviticus chapter 11 & Deuteronomy chapter 14).

 

*In Matthew 6:25+28-33 Jesus allows the violation of Old Testament laws regarding clothing (see Deuteronomy 6:8 & Deuteronomy 22:5-11 – Note as well the effect of Matthew 23:5 on Deuteronomy 6:4-9 & Numbers 15:38-40).

 

*In Mathew 7:28-29 (teaching with priestly authority) Jesus ‘ words “fly in the face” of the Old Testament regulations found in Leviticus chapter 21.

 

*In Matthew 8:3 Jesus violates the Old Testament laws related to associating with lepers (see Leviticus 13:44-45 & Numbers 5:1-4).

 

*In Matthew 9:12-13 & Matthew 12:7 Jesus negates the Old Testament regulations regarding Temple sacrifices (see Numbers 28:3, Exodus 30:7-9, Exodus 12:6-10 & Exodus 13:2).

 

*In Matthew 9:25 Jesus violates the Old Testament law against touching the dead (see Deuteronomy 18:11 – see also Jesus raising Lazarus on his 4^th day in the tomb in John 11:17-44).

 

*In Matthew 11:19 Jesus alludes to violating the Old Testament law against gluttony (see Leviticus 19:26), as well as the law prohibiting associating with sinners (see Deuteronomy 10:20).

 

*In Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus violates the edicts of Leviticus 19:16-18.

 

*In Matthew 12:1 Jesus essentially discards the Old Testament law regarding the Sabbath (see Exodus 16:29).

 

*In Matthew 12:48-49 Jesus seems to violate the Old Testament law prohibiting one from being a “rebellious son” (see Deuteronomy 21:18).

 

*In Matthew 17:24-27 Jesus diminishes the Old Testament regulations related to taxation (see Exodus 30:13).

 

*In Matthew 18:22 Jesus reverses the symbolic meaning of the highly unusual “seventy times seven”, a number that is found elsewhere in the Bible only in Genesis 4:24.

 

*In Matthew 19:10 Jesus neutralizes the Old Testament laws regarding marriage (see Genesis 1:28, Deuteronomy 7:3 & Deuteronomy 22:13).

 

*In Matthew 21:9 Jesus challenges the Old Testament regulations against idol-worship (see Deuteronomy chapter 7, Deuteronomy 12:2, Deuteronomy 13:12-14, Exodus 20:4-5, Exodus 23:13+23 et al).

 

*In Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus portrays a violation of  Deuteronomy 12:4 (do not destroy objects associated with God) and Leviticus 19:30 (revere the Temple).

 

*In Matthew 21:18-19 Jesus reflects a violation of the Old Testament regulation prohibiting the killing of fruit trees (see Deuteronomy 20:19).

 

*In Matthew 26:28 Jesus clearly offends the intent behind the Old Testament law prohibiting the eating of blood (see Leviticus 3:17).

 

 

Secondly, note that Jesus frequently constrained non-functioning Old Testament regulations (essentially making them far more lenient than they were when originally written) …

Consider the following examples thereof:

 

*In Matthew 5:38-41 Jesus clearly amends the adjudicatory Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye” (see Exodus 21:23-24, Leviticus 24:19-20 & Deuteronomy 19:21).

 

*In Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord’s Prayer) Jesus seems to make obsolete the need for any priestly “divine mediation” (see Leviticus 16:3-4).

 

*In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus supplants the need to give sin offerings (see Leviticus 4:27), eliminates the need to publicly confess (see Numbers 5:7), and makes needless the regulation requiring the reproving of a sinner (see Leviticus 19:17).

 

*In Matthew 8:20 Jesus seems to make the placing of a Mezuzah irrelevant (see Deuteronomy 6:9); and likewise dampens the regulation demanding a Jew to reside in a ceremonial hut during the 7 days of Sukkot (see Leviticus 23:42).

 

*In Matthew 8:22 Jesus severely limits the importance of traditional Jewish burial regulations (see Deuteronomy 21:23).

 

*In Matthew 9:14-15 Jesus generally downplays the need for Jews to adhere to conventions related to fasting (see Leviticus 16:29-31).

 

*In Matthew 9:20-22 Jesus diminishes the potency of Old Testament regulations regarding a woman’s uncleanliness during menstruation (see Leviticus 15:25-30).

 

*In Matthew 10:1 Jesus gives non-priests priestly authorities.

 

*In Matthew 10:26 (alluding to Isaiah 45:3) Jesus refers to revealing the Truths that had been purposefully hidden by Jewish elders.

 

*In Matthew 11:25 Jesus seems to dishonor teachers of the Torah (seemingly prohibited by Leviticus 19:32).

 

*In Matthew 12:1-5 (referring to 1 Samuel 21:1-6) Jesus limits the absoluteness of Numbers 28:9-10.

 

*In Matthew 12:9-12 Jesus clearly mitigates the Old Testament laws related to observing the Sabbath (see Exodus 23:12 & Exodus 23:32).

 

*In Matthew 12:31 Jesus directly diminishes the potency of the Old Testament laws related to blasphemy (see Deuteronomy 18:20, Deuteronomy 21:22, Leviticus 22:32, Exodus 20:6 & Exodus 22:27).

 

*In Matthew 13:33 Jesus diminishes the general taint placed on yeast by the Old Testament (see Leviticus 2:11).

 

*In Matthew 15:1-6 Jesus seems to diminish the importance of Exodus 30:19.

 

*In Matthew 15:11 Jesus limits the severity of all Old Testament food regulations (see Leviticus chapter 11 et al).

 

*In Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus overrides the Old Testament law demanding enmity with all those from the land of Canaan (see Deuteronomy 20:17).

 

*In Matthew 16:6-12 Jesus generally encourages a lessened respect for “the yeast of the Pharisees” – namely, their strict adherence to conservative interpretations of the Old Testament. (!)

 

*In Matthew 19:29 Jesus indirectly encourages a violation of the Commandment to honor one’s mother & father (see Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17 & Leviticus 19:3).

 

*In Matthew 22:24-30 Jesus diminishes the sacredness of Deuteronomy 25:5.

 

*In Matthew 22:31-32 Jesus denounces the resurrection from the dead(!) – a common pharisaic belief.

 

*In Matthew 23:9 Jesus could be construed to encourage the dishonoring of one’s father (see Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17, Deuteronomy 5:16 & Leviticus 20:9).

 

*In Matthew 23:16-22 Jesus seems to contravene the Commandment to swear by God’s name (see Deuteronomy 10:20).

 

*In Matthew 24:2 Jesus generally shows disrespect for the Temple (see Leviticus 19:30).

 

*In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus evidences an inverse criticism (see verse 26) of the Old Testament regulation prohibiting lending with interest (see Leviticus 25:37 & Deuteronomy 23:20).

 

 

Thirdly, note that Jesus radically & purposefully expanded Old Testament regulations (essentially making them more absolute &/or more inclusive than tradition demanded) …

Consider the following examples thereof:

 

*In Matthew 5:13 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law requiring that sacrifices be salted (see Leviticus 2:13).

 

*In Matthew 5:21-22a Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law stating “do not murder” (see Exodus 20:13 & Deuteronomy 5:17).

 

*In Matthew 5:22b Jesus amplifies the law stating “do not slander” (see Leviticus 25:17).

 

*In Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law prohibiting adultery (see Exodus 20:14, Deuteronomy 5:18 & Leviticus 18:20).

 

*In Matthew 5:31-32 & Matthew 19:3-9 Jesus radicalizes the Old Testament law related to divorce (see Deuteronomy 24:1-4) … (Note that the phrase “except on grounds of unchastity” is fully absent in the parallel verses of Mark 10:11-12 & Luke 16:18)

 

*In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to swearing (see Leviticus 19:12, Numbers 30:2-3, Deuteronomy 23:2+24 & Deuteronomy 10:20).

 

*In Matthew 5:43-44 Jesus radically expands the implications of the Old Testament requirement to “love your neighbor” (see Leviticus 19:18; doing so in perfect harmony with the apparent intent of Exodus 23:4-5).

 

*In Matthew 5:48 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws of Deuteronomy 18:13 & Leviticus 19:2 – turning fearful obedience to God into a loving homage for Him.

 

*In Matthew 6:1-4 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to tithing (see Exodus 23:19, Deuteronomy 18:4 & Deuteronomy 18:26).

 

*In Matthew 6:5-8 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to prayer (see Exodus 23:25 et al).

 

*In Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws regarding false prophets (see Deuteronomy 18:20-22 – simultaneously harmonizing them with Deuteronomy 13:4).

 

*In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus amplifies Jewish worship in general; from mental obedience to active Love (see Leviticus 22:32 & Deuteronomy 6:5 – doing so in harmony with Deuteronomy 28:9).

 

*In Matthew 9:2-6 Jesus amplifies the oral law that believed only God could forgive sins (see Mishna Yom 8:9).

 

*In Matthew 12:35-37 Jesus makes absolute the Old Testament law about giving false testimony (see Exodus 20:13).

 

*In Matthew 12:48-50 & Matthew 15:1-6 Jesus intensifies the Old Testament law requiring the honoring of one’s mother & father (see Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17, Deuteronomy 5:16 & Leviticus 19:3).

 

*In Matthew 18:1-5 Jesus radically expands the Old Testament law requiring the honoring of one’s elders (see Leviticus 19:32).

 

*In Matthew 18:6-7 Jesus intensifies the implications of Leviticus 19:14.

 

*In Matthew 18:8-9 Jesus makes a radical commentary on the Old Testament laws related to amputation (see Deuteronomy 25:11-12 & Ezekiel 23:25).

 

*In Matthew 18:23-25 Jesus seems to reflect the Old Testament law forbidding interest-laden loans to the poor (see Exodus 22:25).

 

*In Matthew 19:5 Jesus intensifies the Old Testament laws regarding marriage (see Genesis 2:24 et al).

 

*In Matthew 19:11-12 Jesus radically comments on the Old Testament laws related to sexual intercourse (see Deuteronomy 23:18 et al).

 

*In Matthew 19:16-21 Jesus intensifies the absoluteness of the 10 Commandments (see Exodus 20:12-16 & Deuteronomy 5:16-20), the law to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), and the law requiring the giving to those in need (see Deuteronomy 15:7-8).

 

*In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament regulations regarding the payment of workers (see Deuteronomy 24:15 & Leviticus 19:13).

*In Matthew 20:24-28 Jesus intensifies the Commandment to not covet (see Exodus 20:14 & Deuteronomy 5:18).

 

*In Matthew 21:28-32 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament laws related to the upholding of oaths (see Deuteronomy 23:24 & Numbers 30:3).

 

*In Matthew 21:40-43 Jesus indirectly amplifies the implications of Old Testament mercy-laws (see Numbers 35:12 et al).

 

*In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus radically inverts the potency of the 10 Commandments (see Exodus 20:6-12 & Deuteronomy 5:16-20) by expanding the power of the Shema (see Deuteronomy 6:5-7 & Exodus 30:6) & intensifying the implications of “Love your neighbor” (see Leviticus 19:18).

 

*In Matthew 23:13-26 Jesus radically expands the Old Testament call to merely learn the Torah (see Deuteronomy 6:7), while simultaneously making a commentary on the Old Testament prohibition against oppressing the weak (see Exodus 21:22).

 

*In Matthew 23:23-24 Jesus intensifies the Old Testament regulations related to tithing (see Exodus 23:19, Deuteronomy 18:4+26, Leviticus 27:30 & Numbers 18:24 et al).

 

*In Matthew 26:2 Jesus inverts the overall ramifications of the Passover (contrast with Exodus 12:1-10).

 

*In Matthew 26:6-13 Jesus makes a radical commentary of the Old Testament law related to annointings (see Exodus 30:32).

 

*In Matthew 26:26-29 Jesus amplifies the Old Testament law requiring that thanks be given to God after a meal (see Deuteronomy 8:10).

 

Quite clearly then, my dear Friend, Jesus obviously came to “perfect” the Old Testament laws – and to change the way that the Pharisees and the Sadducees were tainting them, not to conventionally affirm them or encourage anyone to blindly follow them. And this was especially true for all those Pharisee-friendly laws that dealt with unjust condemnation & unloving discrimination of the innocent; especially those laws (like the ones mentioned in Leviticus 18:22 & Leviticus 20:13) that severely hindered or misrepresented his Father’s perfect LOVE!

Filed under: Burnishing Bigotry by Scaughdt