Jesus fulfils all things
by Tatiana Overduin
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Therefore, anyone who sets aside the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19).
Read Matthew 5:17–20
In the Lutheran Confessions, adiaphora is identified as ‘customs not necessary for salvation’ or practices or traditions that are neither ‘commanded nor forbidden’ by God in Scripture. There are many recurring themes we read of in the Bible that seem unnecessary for us today. But, if commanded by God as stated in his word, these are then his requirements for us and should not be ignored: not adiaphora. What are the ‘least of these commands’ that Jesus refers to in these verses?
Jesus himself came to (and continues to) fulfil the whole of the Old Testament law and the whole of the biblical story. He himself is the law and the story God has provided to us. A law of a righteous love, given by God – the ultimate plotline for all humanity and in all eternity. We are, therefore, called to practise the command of God’s love toward him and our neighbours here while on Earth, but also for the sake of the kingdom to come: the kingdom of heaven.
So, what message do we need to take away today? We need not feel alone; we do not journey through life alone. The Bible provides a divine plotline, gifted by God to us, from which we receive great comfort and reassurance despite hardship and persecution. The Sermon on the Mount that precedes this text provides this comfort and reassurance. During our lifetime on this earth, difficulties may endure for a little while; however, we look to God’s kingdom, which we know is not of this world but a kingdom in heaven where moth will not destroy, and rust will not decay (Matthew 6:19–21). Jesus teaches us that we are empowered to forgive and to love God and one another – this is not adiaphora but his command.
God of love, we are gifted with a way for life that maps out our life journey, just like the plotline of life that God provided in the Bible. We pray that we do not despair when hardships and persecutions cross our paths. We trust that we can recalibrate our compass daily by turning to your word to allow us to direct our daily steps and actions. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Tatiana is married to Jim, and they live at Largs North, a seaside location in Adelaide. They have two adult children and six grandchildren. This year, Tatiana looks forward to spending more time building her art therapy/knitting business, writing, gardening and enjoying an early morning beach walk. Tatiana gained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Australian Lutheran College in 1996. Both Tatiana and Jim attend worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide.
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