Our look at Jesus comes from Romans 10:4 today…
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
This verse has some amazing depth to it that we will only glimpse in this little jaunt through its meaning. Let’s begin at the beginning; have you read the Books of the Law lately? Most of us have not, but we need to read them on a regular basis. They paint a picture we desperately need of the righteousness of God. Flippancy and irreverence abound in the world today. But those are not attitudes Scripture encourages. They are in stark contrast to the way God revealed Himself to the nation of Israel.
While its true we are no longer under the law, God has not changed – nor did He give the law only for one time period of history. The Books of the Law portray the holiness of God in awe-inspiring detail and clearly show a God who is not to be taken lightly. Great care was needed in approaching God, and the consequences of irreverent worship or disregard for God’s ways were deadly. Understanding that approaching God is serious business, helps us treasure the truth or Romans 10:4 even more.
You see, when we receive Jesus as the end of the law, we are actually receiving the righteousness of God! The idea that God cancelled the law is a low, cheap interpretation of the Word. God’s righteousness is a treasure He wanted us to have – and He sacrificed greatly to give it to us!
Jesus is the fulfillment of the law – it ‘ends’ because in Jesus, the purpose of the law is completed in Jesus. God’s passion for a people to love compelled Him to create us…but He knew before He spoke a word what it would cost Him to create and redeem humanity. The Law helps us understand His righteousness, His glory – and what is involved in relating to Him.
God couldn’t compromise His righteousness to accomplish His purpose of relationship with us, so He provided the Way to make it happen. That Way was sending His Son to suffer and die for us. In Second Corinthians, Paul tells us that Jesus became sin, so we could become the righteousness of God (by hiding our lives in Jesus). The only thing we can give to God is our sin. As soon as we do that, Jesus gives us His righteousness so we can come to the Father. What a trade that is!
Our very best efforts are nothing but filthy rags, but Jesus covers us with His Righteousness so we can enter the presence of God! He offers us a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light in exchange for our filth and sin! May our hearts rejoice this week that the law is fulfilled and the way provided for us to enter into fellowship with a holy God. Jesus came that we might have abundant life. Don’t waste a minute of your life living outside of Jesus…of seeking fulfillment anywhere but in Him! Jesus paid it all…run to the Father and enjoy His glory and His love.radiate from your life and compel others to enter in!
If you are enjoying this journey, there are two formats of these devotions on Amazon. You can find one here: Alphabet of Names
