The pastor of a large church paraphrased or quoted some words from Matthew 5:17. The pastor said “The good news is that Jesus, God’s one and only Son came to fulfill the Law”. The pastor paraphrased this from the scripture in the context that reads in Mathew I listed below.

Mathew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law (Torah), or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

The paraphrased scripture that was quoted by the pastor, states and or implies that the meaning of Mathew 5:17 says that Jesus’s (Yeshua’s) first coming and His death on the cross means that the Law or Torah is no longer needed or it is done away with and is not applicable for today’s believers in Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ).

The small amount of words quoted from Mathew 5:17 leads the listener to think that Jesus (Yeshua) came to do away with the Torah or (Law), the whole context is left out to make an opinion and imply a doctrine that is taught within Christianity that “Jesus coming and death was to fulfill the law (Torah) or do away with the law (Torah)” so you do not have to keep the Law or Torah as He Jesus (Yeshua) did.

Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) states in Mathew below.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law (Torah), or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them v18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law (Torah), till all is fulfilled. v19 Whosoever, therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

The Greek definition of the English word “fulfill” is used in Mathew 5:17, in the Strong's Greek-Hebrew Concordance the word is G (greek) #4137 Pleroo; πληρόω plēróō, play-ro'-o; root meaning from G4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue diffuse influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:—accomplish, × after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfill, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

So we see its meaning in context is to “fully preach” and it is the best fit of the word in the context of Mathew 5:17-19, If “fulfill” was to abolish or do away with then Mathew 5:17-19 would not make any sense in context. Yeshua (Jesus) was saying that he was not abolishing the law (Torah) and the prophets, and He Yeshua even states that he was not abolishing them in the scripture Mathew 5:17, but stated in english our translations “came to fulfill”, and that means He Yeshua came to “fully preach the law (Torah)” and this makes sense in context, and this is what He Yeshua walked out in His life here on earth for an example for us to follow as He asked “Follow Me” [ref, Mathew 4:19, Mathew 16:24, Mathew 19:28]. And is not He an example for us to follow as He did what His Father asked of Him to do.

Yoḥanan (John) 14:15 “If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.

Yoḥanan (John) 15:10 “If you guard My commands, you shall stay in My love even as I have guarded My Father’s commands and stay in His love.

Then in context in Mathew 5:18 He Yeshua gives us a witness to show us when and His Father’s Torah would not change until a appointed time; then in Mathew 5:19 an eternal consequence if you don’t teach the Torah (Law) or if you do teach the Torah (Law). So ask ourselves “Why would Yeshua give a witness, of when and if it would change at all” and “an eternal consequence for not teaching and teaching the Torah (Law)”. If it is no longer needed or applicable for today's believer or done away with at the cross, why would He give us these words? Let’s see what scripture has to say about these words that Yeshua gave for us to hear.

THE WITNESS

In Mathew 5:18 Yeshua shows us the witness, “Until heaven and earth pass nothing will change from the law (Torah) of Yahovah”. This is our witness He gave us, and heaven and earth are still here! so nothing changes in scripture according to His Words. In Revelation 21:1 we do see the appointed time when a new heaven and new earth come.

Revelations 21:1 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea.”

This event will take place after the second coming of Yeshua Messiah and after His 1,000-year reign of Yeshua Messiah on earth. So we know that this has not happened as well because Yeshua is not reigning from Jerusalem on earth. Therefore the words are in place that the Torah is not destroyed not until heaven and earth pass away, as stated in Yahovah’s words in Revelations

THE CONSEQUENCE

Mathew 5:19 is very clear statement as far as eternal consequences given for teaching the law (or Torah) or not teaching the law ( or Torah), the greater and lesser eternal reward in the kingdom of Yahovah that He explains a consequence or reward for the works of the two. He who does not teach the law (or Torah) is less in the Kingdom of Heaven, he who teaches the law (or Torah) is great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mathew 5:19 Whosoever, therefore shall break one of these least commandments (Torah), and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them (Torah), the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Seems pretty straightforward from the mouth of our King

YESHUA or JESUS IS THE WORD THE TORAH IN THE FLESH

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

If Yeshua came to do away with the law (Torah), then He would be doing away with Himself, according to scripture He is the Word made flesh, and at this time of His flesh on earth there were only the Tanak this consisted of the 1st writings of Yisrael the people and the 5 books that makes the Torah and the Prophets, also He would be doing away with what the Father told Yeshua to say, see in the book of John below.

John 7:16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me.

John 3:34 “For He whom Elohim has sent speaks the Words of Elohim, for Elohim does not give the Spirit by measure.

Deuteronomy 18:18 I shall raise up for them a Prophet like you out of the midst of their brothers. And I shall put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. 19 And it shall be, the man who does not listen to My Words which He speaks in My Name, I require it of him.

John 8:28 So יהושע (Yeshua) said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Aḏam, then you shall know that I am He, and that I do none at all of Myself, but as My Father taught Me, these words I speak.

He Yeshua is truth, what is truth? truth is the Torah and He is the Word made flesh, the Torah made flesh.

Psalms 119:142 Your righteousness is righteous forever and your law (Torah) is truth.

Exodus 20:6 but showing loving-commitment (kindness favour) to thousands, to those who love Me and guard My commands.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

He says He is the truth, "the truth is the Torah (Psalms 119:142)" and this is the meaning of truth according to scripture see below in John 17

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

The Fathers Words or Torah is the truth, Yeshua is the Word made flesh and He is the truth, He being Yeshua is the walking Torah the Word made flesh we are to follow.

John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does His works.

Yeshua is the word made flesh, the truth, the living Torah, why would he do away with His own teaching and the teaching of the Father Yahovah the creator the only God and Yeshua’s Father? He wouldn’t, it doesn't make sense according to scripture!

A FALSE PROPHET THAT TEACHES MY PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE TORAH

Yahovah is clear in Deuteronomy 13:1-4 that if a prophet or dreamer of dreams teaches you away from His Law (Torah) then he is a false prophet.

Deuteronomy 13:1 “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.

If Yeshua (Jesus) was teaching the people away from Yahovah’s Law (Torah) and that which is Yahovah’s own instruction to His people, The Children of Yisra’el, this would make Yeshua Messiah (aka Jesus Christ) a false prophet, if he breaks the Torah or “Law,” then He (Jesus) would have been a sinner. Therefore, the teaching put forth by the pastor in his suggestive opinion says that “Yeshua (Jesus) did away with the Law (aka Torah) of God,” makes Yeshua (Jesus) a false prophet and a sinner. This is the Law (Torah) in the book of Deuteronomy Chapter 13:1-5 The Pharisees used to have Yeshua (Jesus) put to death, Yeshua broke their Law (the oral Talmud, laws of men), not The Torah of Yahovah, the teaching and instruction of the Creator, that is the Torah of Yahovah “This is a big difference.” They used the Torah scripture below and falsely accused Yeshua that He broke the Torah, but He only taught against their man-made laws that have been added to the Torah and still are even to this day.

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

YAHOVAH AND HIS WORD DOES NOT CHANGE

Malachi 3:6 "I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

2 Timothy 2:13 Our faith may fail, his never wanes— That's who he is, he cannot change! (ISV Version)

Joshua 1:8 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. v26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, 27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.

Psalms 19: 7 The law (Torah) of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

2 Samuel 22:31 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

ONE WE MUST HEAR AND OBEY

Deuteronomy 15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers it is to him you shall listen (Shema) 16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not listen (shema) to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.

The people of Israel were told that a prophet would come one liken unto Moses and they were to listen, the Hebrew word for listen in this scripture is “Shema” according to Stongs Hebrew concordance #8085 it means to to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience)

So we are to listen and obey to his voice, for he would speak the words of Yahovah. Yahovah says in Deuteronomy 18:18 “my words I will put into his mouth”. Deuteronomy 18:15-19 and these words He (the prophet) is to speak are Yahovah the Fathers words, “Our God we say we follow” and we are to “shema” listen and obey what that prophet says, for he is speaking Yahovah's words.

John 12:49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. v50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

John 7:16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

YESHUA AT HIS RETURN TEACHES TORAH THE LAW

So we have to ask ourselves: Why would he do away with, abolish or change the need for the law (Torah) of Yahovah? Yeshua (Jesus) even when he comes back after the second coming and teaches the law (Torah) from Jerusalem,

Micah 4:1 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills and peoples shall flow to it, v2 and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law (Torah) and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. "Law" defined by Strongs #8451 is Torah, pentateuch, so if we think it has changed and do not think it's for believers now, according to scripture we will be learning it for eternity.

THE LAW or TORAH IS NOT DIFFICULT

The Law (Torah) of God has never been too hard to keep, He even tells us that, here are 2 examples.

Deuteronomy 30:11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it? 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”

1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW GOOD THE TORAH IS FOR US

The Law (Torah) of God is truth, Psalm 119:142 “Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law (Torah) is truth.”

Yeshua said in John 14:6 “Yeshua said to him, I’am the way the truth (Torah) the life, no man comes to the Father except through me.”

The Law (Torah) is a blessing, Psalm 119:1 “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law (Torah) of Yahovah (The LORD).”

Brings wonders to our attention, Psalm 119:18 “open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law (Torah).”

The Law (Torah) is not false, Psalm 119:29 “put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law (torah).”

It is better than the finest things on this earth, Psalm 119:72 “the law (Torah) of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces”

JUST FINISHING THOUGHT OF HOW GOOD THE TORAH OR THE LAW IS

There are countless other scriptures of how good the law (Torah) is for us not how bad it is, just read all of Deuteronomy 28, and Psalms chapter 119 the Aleph and the Tav, in the Hebrew that is the Beginning and the End, in the Greek that is the Alpha and the Omega. Yeshua stated in Revelations 22:13 that he is the beginning and the end, we can see him in Psalms chapter 119 and we can see how good the Law or Torah is for us. Also in the blessings and the curses in the book of Dueteronomy chapter 28 1-2 He tells us if we keep His Law (Torah) how good it is for us, and if we do not He tells us as well how it will go for us.

Deuteronomy 5:10 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Exodus 20:6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

And in the above verses keeping the Law His Torah His instructions is LOVE back to Him and it is all He asks of us.

2 John 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

For it is His ways we are to live out unto Him and glorify His name and be a light unto the nations just as Yeshua Messiah did and as we are instructed to follow and Shema! listen and obey Him.