“Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Mt 5:17
The Law I get. The law was the foundation of Jewish life, culture and behavior. Jesus threatened that law by righteously breaking it. But the Prophets? What did the prophets mean to a Jew?
Yes, I can see that in each of the Prophets there was the promise of a Messiah. The prophets also often brought words of judgment. But the Law also had promises of the Messiah. With so much judgment in the Prophets, it would seem like the prophets heavy rebukes would be good to let go.
But the Prophets were revered by the Israelites. Perhaps because they were beacons of hope of judgment not just against themselves but against their enemies. That and hope for a new day, a new covenant, and new season in humanity where the Messiah would rule the earth. It’s something definitely a hope worth holding on to.
If only the Jews could have and would see that indeed their Messiah has come.
