"I have come not to abolish but to fulfill" (Matthew 5 : 17 - 37)

We are with Jesus up on the mountain. He continues to address the disciples directly as they in their full liberty, have opted for Him and the Kingdom. The crowds are on the hearing. He treats some new themes in the Sermon: Law, anger, adultery, divorce and oaths.

How do we interpret this Sermon of Jesus? It has to be done within the ecclesial context of Matthew. Located in Antioch of Syria and evangelized by James Group from Jerusalem, this Christian community is more Jewish and conservative and hence, reluctant to be more progressive and open to the Gentiles. These older ones try to keep the status quo. But the new few ones, including the Gentiles, are more open to the Gentiles. Hence there is tension within the community.

In this ecclesial context, the Evangelist tows a middle path. He tries to resolve the tensions as he quotes the Words of the Lord on the Law of Moses: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill." As Christians we need to follow the Law of Christ, who perfected the existing Law of Moses. Hence we need not be afraid of the Gentile mission but be open to the Gentiles, because Jesus Himself was open to them.

The Law of Christ, enunciated in the Sermon, is superior to the Law of Moses, so dear to the Jews and Jewish Christians as well. The former perfects the latter. It is higher righteousness, to be sought after by every Christian disciple, though Jewish or Gentile, as he sincerely wishes, in his full liberty, to enter into the Kingdom of the heavens.

How is the Law of Christ superior to that of Moses? How is it higher righteousness, which surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees? It is simply because Jesus is superior to Moses, so prominent in Judaism. The former, who came last, is someone greater than the latter, who came first. Hence the Law of Christ, to be followed by Christians, is superior to that of Moses.

How does the Evangelist demonstrate that Jesus is superior to Moses?
Moses uttered: "Thus says the Lord." He repeated to people what he received from God. He was hence recipient and giver.
Jesus utters: "I say to you." He speaks of His own authority. He is fully the Giver of the Law. Jesus interiorizes, democratizes and perfects the Law of Moses.
Moses uttered (thesis): "Thou shall not kill" = external act = applicable to felons.
Jesus utters (antithesis): "Thou shall not get angry as well" = internal act = applicable to all.
Law of Christ = internal act + external act = total response of the total person = higher righteousness.

Thus Matthew urges his Christians, especially those of Jewish descent, to follow the Law of Christ and be open to the Gentiles. He also highlights the superiority of Christ in the context of Rabbinic Judaism (which destroyed by Romans in 70 AD) and Greco - Roman religions (which glorified mythical gods and goddesses). He also shows how Judaism continues and culminates in the Christianity of Christ.

Moderate thinking we find in St. Matthew trying to keep both the conservatives and the progressives together. It is this thinking that is to be emulated by us recognizing its paramount importance in today's socio-ecclesial context.