Why did Jesus say that Christians should follow all the Jewish (Mosaic) Laws ?

Question

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do EVERYTHING they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.' (Matthew 23:1-3)"



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Answer 1

Because at that time, Jesus had not yet fulfilled all that was written about him in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, and the Pharisees, corrupt as they certainly were, occupied "the seat of Moses" ... and wielded the authentic power of the old testament priesthood, which was based on the authority that God had originallly given only to Moses and his brother Aaron, and which had been passed down through the ages.

Once Jesus had perfectly fulfilled the old Mosaic law, all of it was set aside, and replaced by the new covenant in his blood, and the grace he obtained for us on the cross.

Jesus saves.

No law has that power.

If the law could save, Jesus' sacrifice would have been unnecessary.

Then as now, those who attempt to keep the law to obtain salvation, only succeed in cursing themselves

Answer 2

You've misinterpreted what Jesus is saying here. First, remember He was speaking to Jews, not to Christians (we didn't come into the picture until after Paul was sent to preach the Gospel to the gentiles).

Jesus is telling the Jewish crowd that the scribes (who taught the Mosaic Law to the people) and the Pharisees (who were from the non-priestly tribes, i.e. not descended from Aaron, yet held themselves out as religious leaders) held positions of authority (thus, they sat in "Moses' seat" as rulers) -- therefore, the people were required to be obedient to their commands. HOWEVER, the Jews were NOT to practice the unscriptural commandments the Pharisees and scribes taught, because they violated God's law.

For example, the convoluted teachings regarding working on the Sabbath. All God stated was that people should stay at home and do no work, except what was required to sustain life; the people were supposed to use this day to meditate on God's word and praise Him. However, He NEVER stated it's against the Law to give mercy or fulfill other Biblical commands on the Sabbath -- which Jesus proved at Matthew 12:1-14 and Luke 14:1-6.

Answer 3

Contrary to what others may think-- all through the New Testament- Gods Commandments are mentioned - right down to Revelations-
You have to ask yourself "Why" were they constantly mentioned throughout the New Testament- if they were no longer valid? Because Jesus- Never did away with the LAW!
God knew WE would never make it- by the Law "alone"- So he gave his Son as the ultimate sacrifice-which is where Grace comes in the picture- Grace does NOT do away with the Law- It covers us when we do sin- Jesus ALWAYS preached that we were to follow the commandments! (out of love -not fear) Never once did He say- they are no longer valid- Never once did he say they were "just " for Jews-
If you truly want to know- read for yourself-but keep in mind-
The Bible tells us it takes BOTH- the Commandments & Grace.
Matthew 19:17
"There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
Revelations 14:12
12This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

Answer 4

Your translation is in gross error as is your timing. Jesus said nothing of the kind. In the reality of time, there were no Christians until Pentecost.

Jesus was not speaking to Gentiles (and there were no Christians yet). His ministry that day was to those He had placed under the law of Moses; a law that would not be fulfilled in time until Jesus went to Calvary.

The words of the Lord are clear pointing out that most of what these men said was not the law of Moses; which they had already perverted to the traditions of men.

In verse four, Jesus says that, although they sit in Moses seat, what they say binds heavy and grievous burdens on the shoulders of men. I ask you, when have the laws of God been heavy and grievous to those who obeyed? Rather the Bible tells us that his yoke is easy and his burthern is light.

On that day he was speaking to Jews not Christians and was further speaking to his hearers about how men pervert the word of God; as they still do today.

Answer 5

The Pharisees never practiced what they preached. The Laws of God are not the same as the Law of Moses. The Law of God (10 commandments) are a transcript of Gods character. The breaking of which is sin (according to the NT)
The ceremonial laws of Moses were the remedy for sin (for the law that was transgressed) which looked forward to Jesus as the true sacrafice for sin......... Type and antitype.

Answer 6

Note that Jesus was talking to a Jewish audience, not to Christians at the time he made the statement. Prior to his death, the Jewish laws and ceremonies where in affect and the Jewish people were bound by oath to obey them.

However, at no time in the Old or New Testament were any Gentiles required to keep the Jewish law. Noah (who was not a Jew) did not have to keep the Jewish law. He had a separate convenant with God in which his slavation was based on building the Ark. Job (who was not a Jew) did not have to keep the Jewish laws. He had a separate convenant with God in which he meet with his family several times a year for a ritual of bread and wine. Naaman (who was a non-Jew) was not required to keep the Jewish laws. He received his healing from God by simple washing seven times in the Jordan - a ritual NOT found anywhere in Jewish law. So he had a separate convenant with God.

So the Christians have a separate covenant with God which is outside of the Jewish law. It does not require the gentile Christians to keep the rituals, feast days, sacrifices, etc. of the Jewish people.

So Jesus was correct in Matthew 23 when he told the Jewish people that, prior to his death and resurrection, they were still required to follow the Mosaic Law. But Jesus never extended that same commandment to non-Jewish Christians.

Rather, you will find several stories in which Jesus stated the non-Jews are outside of the Jewish convenant and laws. Mark 15:22-28 is one such example. When a non-Jewish woman comes to Jesus asking for the deliverance of her daughter, Jesus tells her that he is only send to the House of Israel - meaning the convenant under which she wants her daughter healed only applies to the Jews. But she replies that even dogs are allowed to eat crumbs from the table. Meaning that she should still have some rights to the blessing of God even if she is not in the Jewish covenant. Jesus agrees, and heals the daughter. This healing was NOT done as part of the Jewish covenant, but as part of the "crumbs" which belong to all people. She had a separate covenant or right to God outside of the Jewish law, and was healed under that convenant of faith.

Read Romans chapters 10 and 11. Paul there explains how the Christian covenant - salvation apart from obeying the Jewish law - relates to the Jewish covenant and people. How we are in a "crumbs" relationship where the blessing are extended to include even "the dogs".

The balance between the Jewish Law and the Covenant of Faith is one of the major themes of the New Testament. If you take the time to read the whole thing, and not just a single teaching, you will be able to see who the two relate, and why a Christian is not required to keep all of the Mosaic Law, while a Jew is. It is a difference in the covenants under which the live.

Answer 7

What I even have constantly been taught is there is an significant distinction between what Jesus fulfilled and the full Mosaic regulation. case in point: Jesus replace into crucified and shed his blood so we would desire to be forgiven. for this reason we not sacrifice. Jesus additionally informed the Pharisees and Sadducee that there are cases while the "Sabbath" would desire to be broken. you notice we are below a sparkling regulation and a number of of different the old regulations nevertheless be conscious below Christ's teachings. the version is we use what Christ taught and we stick to that and what he taught, some, is discovered in the OT as a manner to nevertheless use it. Oh, and He did too declare to be God. If He hadn't they'd not have had reason to crucify Him.the recent testomony replace into written submit dictum, even although that's in keeping with all of Christ's teachings. He informed human beings and commanded human beings to do new issues. while prepare you get the recent testomony. the recent covenant is thru Christ's shed blood, yet in addition coincides with countless the old teachings. you are able to declare that Paul's "friends" are liars, yet you will desire to pass lower back and consider the recent testomony. maximum of that's written in pink which shows Jesus' words. He reported maximum of it. you do not would desire to have self assurance it. sure, Jesus did stick to maximum of Judaism, yet did you ever examine of Him sacrificing or perhaps fairly observing the Sabbath? No.He and His disciples have been constantly doing something that alter into against the Sabbath be it therapeutic human beings or picking nutrition to consume. There are countless as against i'd desire to provide you, yet i think of you will desire to pass lower back and consider it. a guy or woman learns from their blunders greater suitable in the event that they are in a position to understand them themselves. additionally, you are able to tell Christ on Judgment Day that His "friends" have been lairs...ok?!

Answer 8

Although you will find Christians who don't realize it, Jesus fully believed in the teachings of Judaism. He did feel that a lot of people of the time were focusing on the world and not following those teachings. But he himself said that he came to fulfill, not to destroy, Jewish prophesies.

As short and simple as possible:

Jews: Believe in the Old Testament's teachings.

Christians: Believe in the New Testament teachings. They also believe in the Old Testament teachings, but believe that Jesus is the Messiah and sort of clarified some points that people either weren't getting, weren't following, or were waiting to be fulfilled.

Muslims: Believe that the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, but Jews and Christians mis-translated, mis-interpreted and generally lost the true Word that was given to them. Then Mohamed came and clarified what parts were truly the Word of God, and spoke through the final prophet (Mohamed) to make things clear once and for all.

So, Jesus said that because he was a Jew and considered the Jewish religion a religion that teaches the Word of God.

Answer 9

Because he was:

1: A Rabbi
2: So it follows he was JEWISH

Answer 10

Because if they did not follow Jewish law they would have been outcasts or worse, stoned to death. Jesus would not tell them to do things that would put them in danger.