Daily Bible Lesson. JESUS MAGNIFIED THE LAW. Many people quote Matthew 5:17 and confidently say, “Jesus fulfilled the law, therefore we no longer need to keep it.” But is that really what Jesus meant? Did the Son of God come to abolish His Father's commandments, or did He come to reveal their true depth and meaning? Jesus declared: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matthew 5:17) Notice His first words: “Think NOT.” Why would Jesus begin with a warning if there were not going to be people who misunderstood His mission? Christ did not come to destroy God's law. He specifically said the opposite! Yet today, millions interpret the word fulfil as meaning abolish. But does fulfilling something mean bringing it to an end? Consider this: Jesus fulfilled righteousness (Matthew 3:15). Did righteousness come to an end? Jesus fulfilled the character of God in perfect human form. Did God's character come to an end? Jesus fulfilled many prophecies concerning Himself. Did the prophets cease to matter? Of course not! To fulfill means to complete, reveal, establish, and perfectly carry out—not to destroy. The Ten Commandments are a reflection of God's character of love. The first four commandments teach us how to love God, and the last six teach us how to love our fellow man. God's law and God's character cannot be separated. If God's law could be abolished, then God's character could change. But Scripture declares: “I am the LORD, I change not.” (Malachi 3:6) Jesus came to reveal what true obedience looks like. He lived the law perfectly and showed its spiritual depth. He did not lower God's standard—He elevated it! When speaking about adultery, Jesus showed that sin begins in the heart. When speaking about murder, Jesus showed that hatred is the root. When speaking about obedience, He moved beyond outward actions and exposed the condition of the soul. This is exactly what Isaiah prophesied: “He will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” (Isaiah 42:21) To magnify something is to enlarge it, not abolish it. Jesus magnified the law. Jesus honored the law. Jesus fulfilled its requirements. Jesus revealed its spiritual meaning. But He never destroyed it. In fact, immediately after saying He came to fulfill the law, Jesus added: “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” (Matthew 5:18) Look around you. Is the earth still here? Are the heavens still above us? Then Christ's words still stand! The very reason we needed a Savior was because humanity broke God's law. If the law could simply be removed, there would have been no need for Calvary. The cross itself proves the unchangeable nature of God's government and His law. Jesus died not to give us freedom to continue in sin, but to save us from sin. Grace does not excuse disobedience. Grace empowers obedience. Salvation is not earned by keeping the law, but those who truly love Christ will desire to walk in His commandments. Jesus fulfilled the law by living it perfectly. Jesus fulfilled the law by revealing its true meaning. Jesus fulfilled the law by paying the penalty for its violation. Jesus fulfilled the law by magnifying it before the universe. And because He fulfilled it, we are called to follow Him, love Him, and obey Him through His power and grace. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) May we never allow tradition, assumptions, or verses taken out of context to overturn the plain words of Jesus Christ. Let us study His Word carefully and follow truth wherever it leads. The law was not abolished at Calvary. The law was honored at Calvary.