Completed, Not Canceled

If you’ve ever had someone twist your words or take them out of context, you know how frustrating it can be. Now imagine being Jesus, the Son of God, and people constantly misunderstand your actions, your words, and your mission. That’s exactly what was happening in Matthew 5:17–18. Jesus had to set the record straight.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Matthew 5:17–18

Let’s break that down and see what it means for you—yes, even as a teenager in 2025.

Jesus Wasn’t Breaking It Down

When Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law,” He was addressing a common accusation of His day. The religious leaders—the scribes, Pharisees, and others—thought Jesus was undermining their religious system. Why? Because He didn’t follow their man-made additions. He didn’t make His disciples wash their hands the “right” way. He healed people on the Sabbath. He spent time with “sinners.” So they assumed He was a lawbreaker.

But Jesus made it crystal clear: He wasn’t destroying the law. The word “destroy” used here carries the idea of breaking something down bit by bit—like slowly unscrewing every bolt of a structure until it falls apart. Jesus wasn’t loosening the bolts of the law. He was upholding it, even reinforcing it. He was the Author of the law, after all. Why would He undo His own words?

Jesus Filled It Up

Instead of tearing down the law, Jesus said, “I am come to… fulfil.” That word means to fill something up—to bring it to its complete meaning or purpose. Like filling a glass to the brim or completing an assignment. Jesus came to completewhat the law pointed toward.

There are at least four powerful ways He did that:

1. Through His Teaching
   When Jesus said things like “Ye have heard… but I say unto you,” He wasn’t rewriting the law—He was revealing its full depth. It wasn’t enough to just avoid adultery physically; Jesus said that even a lustful look was sin. It wasn’t enough to avoid murder; hate in your heart was just as condemning. He filled those commands to the top with God’s true meaning.
2. Through His Life
   Jesus obeyed every law of God perfectly. He said to John the Baptist that He had to be baptized to “fulfil all righteousness.” (See Matthew 3:15.) Every rule, every moral standard, every demand of the law—Jesus kept it without fail. That means He was the only one who could ever be called truly righteous.
3. Through His Death
   Here’s the big one: the law doesn’t just give commands—it gives consequences. It says, “Do this, and live. Fail, and die.” That’s where we all come in. We’ve broken God’s law. We deserve its punishment. But Jesus died in our place. He fulfilled the law’s justice by taking our penalty. He drank the full cup of God’s wrath—so we could go free.
4. Through the Types and Shadows
   If you’ve ever read Leviticus and wondered what’s with all the sacrifices, rituals, and clean vs. unclean rules—Jesus is the answer. Every lamb, every altar, every high priest—they were all pointing forward to Him. He was the Lamb of God. He was the final sacrifice. He fulfilled every picture the Old Testament painted.

So What Does This Mean for You?

It means that the Word of God still matters. Jesus didn’t say, “Forget the Old Testament—it’s irrelevant.” He said the opposite: not one jot or tittle (the tiniest marks in Hebrew writing) would pass away until all is fulfilled.

That means you don’t get to pick and choose which parts of the Bible you want to obey. God’s Word isn’t a salad bar—it’s the full meal. And even though you and I can’t keep the law perfectly, Jesus already did. When you trust in Him, His righteousness is applied to your account.

And here’s what’s amazing: when Jesus saves you, He doesn’t just wipe your slate clean—He fills your heart with His Spirit so that you can actually live out the heart of God’s law. Not in your own strength, but in His.

Don’t Settle for Half-Full Christianity

Too many Christians settle for half-filled obedience. They think, “Well, I haven’t killed anyone or cheated on my spouse,” and they check the box. But Jesus says, “Let’s take it deeper. Let’s talk about your heart.”

Don’t settle for surface-level religion. Let Jesus fill your life to the top with His Word, His Spirit, and His purpose.