The Divine Commandments and Jesus' Teaching: A Path to Holiness

From the beginning of human history, the divine commandments have played a pivotal role in guiding our moral and ethical lives. In the Old Testament, the Law was given to the Jewish people as a set of rules to follow, reflecting the standards of behavior expected by the divine. The commandments, as laid out in Deuteronomy Chapter 5 and other portions of the Bible, detail expectations of conduct and the divine’s punishment for violation. However, the inherent struggle against sin, driven by internal desires like greed and pride, means that following these laws perfectly is impossible.

Adam and the Tree of Knowledge

Many think of the divine commandments starting with the prohibition of eating from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. In the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were told, 'You must not eat any tree#39;s fruit except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil' (Genesis 2:16-17). This commandment was intended to maintain their innocence and purity, but they failed, leading to the fall of man and further compounding the sins of humanity.

The Addition of Laws and the License to Sin

As the generations progressed, the laws became more numerous and strict as a response to increasing acts of sin. By the time of Moses, the law was gathered and codified as the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17). The law was meant to help people understand what was right and wrong. However, as Jesus pointed out, it is not just the specter of punishment but also the constant struggle against the sin within that drives people to sin (Matthew 5:27-30).

The Fulfillment of the Law by Jesus

Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to repeal it. In Matthew 5:17-20, He stated, 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.' This claim isn’t about changing the laws but about their deeper meaning, and the necessity to follow them imperfectly but with the deepest love.

Love and Commandments

Perhaps the greatest expression of this is in the Shema, a declaration of faith. In Deuteronomy Chapter 6:4-9, it is written, 'Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.' These laws are not just to be followed with the mind, but with the heart, turning them into a personal and sacred commitment.

The Kingdom of Heaven and Resistance to Evil

Jesus’ teachings also include new ways of interpreting the commandments. It’s not just the outward actions that are crucial, but the intentions and the heart. For instance, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus expands on the law, introducing the idea that anger and evil thoughts towards a fellow human can lead to greater consequences than murder itself. Similarly, looking at a woman with lust is just as bad as committing adultery.

Redemption Through Faith and Love

The prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel foretold of the coming of a Messiah who would bring about a new covenant, one where the laws could be fulfilled through a person’s action and heart rather than their own perfection (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:24-32). In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus notes that the kingdom of God can be realized through actions rooted in love and forgiveness. This was further illustrated in John 4:23-24, emphasizing that true worship is with the heart, in spirit and truth.

Death, Resurrection, and the New Prophecy

The ultimate prophecy about the fulfillment of these divine commandments comes in the concept of the resurrection and the end of death. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, Paul states the importance of Christ’s resurrection and how it ushers in a new era. ‘But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in their own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.’ The promise of salvation through divine intervention and the final defeat of death provide hope for humanity.