Matthew 5 : 17-20 EXPLAINED THROUGH THE TRANSFIGURATION

MATTHEW 5 : 17-20 EXPLAINED THROUGH THE TRANSFIGURATION

One of the most misunderstood scriptures is in Matthew 5 : 17-20. Some people believe christians are still under the Law because of this scripture. This scripture needs understanding and revelation. In the past I had my own share of arguments and be debate about Law and Grace with even my friends. The Holy Spirit showed me there's no reason to argue or debate and I wrote an article about it titled Law and Grace

I never knew the revelation of the Transfiguration Mathew 17 : 1 Mark 9 : 2 and Luke 9 : 28 until I recently found a video my mentor Pastor Joseph Prince have about the Transfiguration,  well he's a minister of Grace so it was about Grace.

JESUS, LAW, PROPHETS AND "THINGS"

Matthew 5 TEV Bible

• 17 Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teaching come true. 

This means Jesus did not come to abolish the Law -Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, the 10 commandments. He did not come to destroy the teaching of the prophets, Jeremiah 31 : 31- 34. Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy of the 10 commandments that will be written in the heart to fulfill the New Covenant. 

• 18 Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with - not until the end of things. 

This means as long as nothing the 'things' are not accomplished the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets will not be abolished or do away with, but after the things are accomplished then the Law will be do away with or will be abolished.

The question is, "What things?" John 19 : 30 the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Also Luke 24:44 "These are the things I told you about while I was still with you : everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and the Psalms had come true. " 

2 Corinthians 3 : 3-KJV- Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. 

2 Corinthians 3 : 6 It is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Holy Spirit . The written Law brings death, but the Spirit gives life. 

• 19 So then, whoever disobeys even the least important of the commandments and the teaches others to do the same, will be least in the Kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys the Law and the teaches other to do same, will be great in the Kingdom of heaven. 

This applies for all those who lived before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, obeying the Law and living by the Law was going to help them enter the Kingdom in heaven meanwhile Jesus was not yet crucified. After his crucifixion when he said "It is Finished" the New Covenant began that was prophesied and has the Law of Moses. Then all humans started to live by the Holy Spirit and receive the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

KJV- Roman 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in flesh

• 20 I tell you, then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires. 

This meant foe all those bbefore the crucifixion of Jesus Christ they had the Law to enter heaven only if they are faithful or righteous. 

JESUS, MOSES, ELIJAH, GOD AND DISCIPLES

On the Transfiguration Mathew 17:1 Mark 9:2 and Luke 9: 28 Jesus took with him Peter, John and James to hill on a mountain and pray.

Matthew 17

30 Then the three disciples saw Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus.

Moses represents the Law, Elijah represents the prophets and Jesus represents God's grace. 

31 who appeared in heavenly glory and talked with Jesus about the way in which he would soon fulfil God's purpose by dying in Jerusalem

NIV Bible

31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fullfillment at Jerusalem. 

Moses of the Law and Elijah of the prophets talked with Jesus of God's grace about his crucifixion, the "things" He talked about on Matthew 5 : 17-20. 

Luke 9 :33 TEV Bible

As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, how good it is that we are all here! We will make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah ( He didn't know what he was saying. )

Peter here did not know he wanted to build 3 tents, 1 for the Law of Moses, 1 fro the Prophets and 1 for Grace!

Matthew 17

5 While he was talking, a shining cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased - listen to him!"

God came down as a shining cloud , not just a cloud but a shining cloud and told the 3 disciples, Peter, John and James to listen to Jesus only. Remember Jesus represents God's grace and Moses the Law and Elijah the prophets. Here grace win in Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 17 NIV Bible

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 

Personally I believe this was a bow that obeyed God's word. 

7 But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up, " He said. "Don't be afraid. "

To me when Jesus touched them it meant he is there for them, then Jesus took the terrification away from them.

8 When they lookup, they saw no one except Jesus. 

All that they were left with was the grace of God that is in Christ Jesus and Jesus left us the Holy Spirit which we live in.

John 1: 17 God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.