Chp.18 - Christians Do Not Observe The Mosaic Law Because They Know Why It Was Instituted

Galatians 3:19 (NKJV) 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. "For we too would observe the fleshly circumcision, and the Sabbaths, and in short all the feasts, if we did not know for what reason they were enjoined you,—namely, on account of your transgressions and the hardness of your hearts. For if we patiently endure all things contrived against us by wicked men and demons, so that even amid cruelties unutterable, death and torments, we pray for mercy to those who inflict such things upon us, and do not wish to give the least retort to any one, even as the new Lawgiver commanded us." Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 203). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.

Justin echos the apostle Paul as to the purpose of the Mosaic Law. Each understand that God gave the law as a schoolmaster to lead Israel to Christ. Here is the water of life by which Trypho should drink and be satisfied. To whom was this promise made? This promise was made to Israel to forgive their transgressions. Where Christ has rebuked the hardness of Israel's heart toward the law's fulfillment in their rejection of him and the misuse of the law, Christ has prayed for the forgiveness of their ignorance; for they did not know whom they have pierced. Christ indeed prayed for his persecutors and waits still, patiently, for their repentance. Luke 23:34 (NKJV) 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. Romans 11:14–29 (NKJV) 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Christ being the One mediator serving both ends of the covenant fulfills not only the promise of God to save them but also becomes the law's curse in full obedience to satisfy justice for sin. Therefore as the Lawgiver, as Justin alluded, Christ is both Just and the justifier of the ungodly. Paul says the law is not of faith, so the Lawgiver (the doer of the law) must live by them. In other words, Christ was the law living in the flesh; a living fulfillment of every jot and tittle.

Matthew 1:21 (NKJV) 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Galatians 3:12–14 (NKJV) 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 2 Corinthians 5:20–21 (NKJV) 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 Corinthians 15:56–57 (NKJV) 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The crucifixion of Christ was the true destruction of Zion. 70 A.D. was just another sign pointing back to the death and curse of Christ. Zion will not be blessed again until they look upon whom they have pierced, saying, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Matthew 23:37–39 (NKJV) 37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” Matthew 24:2 (NKJV) 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.