The Jewish tradition states that there are 613 commandments, in the mitzvot (means “commandment.” In its strictest sense) in the Torah also known as the Law of Moses. “The Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, TESTED Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the LORD YOUR GOD with ALL your heart, your soul and your mind.’ This is the first and GREATEST commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your NEIGHBOR as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets HANG on these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:34-40) In the sense of all the Law and Prophets “Hang” Jesus was uniquely able to describe the two-line summary of Law as the HINGE on which the whole Bible turns, because those two lines converge perfectly in Him. Jesus is the one who has kept the law and fulfilled all righteousness.
A little earlier Jesus said, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to ACCOMPLISH THEIR PURPOSE. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its PURPOSE IS ACHIEVED.” (Matt. 5:17-18) Jesus came to demonstrate the ACTUAL MEANING of the Law and Prophets.
OK, what does this mean for us today? “He who says, “I know Jesus,” and does not keep His commandments, IS A LIAR, and the truth is not in him. But whoever KEEPS CHRIST’S WORD, truly the LOVE OF GOD IS PERFECTED IN HIM. By this WE KNOW that we are in Christ.” (1 John 2:4-5) “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who HATES his brother is in DARKNESS and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has BLINDED HIS EYES.” (1 John 2:10-11) “We know that we have passed from DEATH TO LIFE, because we LOVE THE BRETHREN. He who does not love his brother ABIDES IN DEATH. Whoever hates his brother is a MURDERER, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:14-15)
“Beloved, let us love one another, for LOVE IS OF GOD; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE.” (1 John 4:7-8)
-Bill Stockham