How to deal with the Law or the Prophets?

My Sunday Scripture 2010.12.12.


The texts are here, though a bit long, but there is something hidden inside:


Matthew 5:17-20

17 'Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.

18 In truth I tell you, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, is to disappear from the Law until all its purpose is achieved.

19 Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but the person who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven.

20 'For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven.


Matthew 11:2-11

2 Now John had heard in prison what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him,

3 'Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?'

4 Jesus answered, 'Go back and tell John what you hear and see;

5 the blind see again, and the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and the good news is proclaimed to the poor;

6 and blessed is anyone who does not find me a cause of falling.'

7 As the men were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John, 'What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No?

8 Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces.

9 Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet:

10 he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you.

11 'In truth I tell you, of all the children born to women, there has never been anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.


-------------------
My reading notes:
-------------------

What is the difference between the old and new testament, are always a puzzling thing.

Though Jesus had said, do not expect him to challenge the Law. He said, those who infringes the Law will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Will you be the "least in the kingdom of Heaven"? It is a praise (or a title) much bigger then John the Baptist. Because Jesus had said, "yet the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. "

The books in the Old Jews tradition are not perfect, and need reconsideration. But in Jesus day, he is not going to challenge them. Am I right? I am trying to think it again.

And Jesus had said, if you can not go further beyond those of the old Jews, you will not succeed. "For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven."

Jesus had bring us "Love", though in the old time, there was only "Law" prevailed.

Should one challenge the old "Law"? Should we gain an new insight of "Love"??

Please so help me, to think it clearer.