keeping of these ―laws‖. The Scribes and Pharisees were viewed as the very pillars of Jewish society and
religion. They were considered the most moral, upright, influential people of their day. They were the kind of
people you would want your daughter to marry into. They were Israel‘s best, the cream of the crop. (Also see
section ―James the Brother of Y‘shua‖ under ―Matt 13:53-54 And when he was come into his own country‖.)
Now, some of the Scribes and Pharisees were extremely legalistic. The group of Scribes and Pharisees
mentioned in verse 20, followed the letter of the law point by point and even added their own rules to make
the law more restrictive. However, they did not follow the spirit of the law; therefore, their righteousness was
self-righteousness.
The elect of Elohim must understand both the letter and the spirit of the law. Moreover, they must apply both
the letter and spirit of the law in their lives. Adhering to both the letter and the spirit of the law is the way to be
more righteous than the Scribes and Pharisees that Y‘shua referred to.
In a nutshell, they did not regard the Old Covenant Law highly enough. They had set it aside, preferring their
own rules, regulations and traditions (Mark 7:7-9). The one who was truly great in the Kingdom was he who
would both teach the Old Covenant faithfully (without watering it down), and who would live in accordance
with this teaching. In the remaining verses, Y‘shua demonstrated how it was the Scribes and Pharisees who
failed to take the Law far enough; thus, loosening and lowering its requirements. Worse still, they did not
practice what they preached.
What went wrong?
Many of the Jewish people in the First Century had missed the basic message of the Torah. They had
distorted their observance of YHWH's wonderful Torah into a system of works, self-effort and self-
achievement. The idea of keeping YHWH's laws was twisted into a means of getting right with YHWH by
one's own strength and merit. It was this misguided, legalistic approach to salvation that Y‘shua addressed.
This was being carried over into some sections of the Messianic faith as well. In particular, Gentile believers
in Galatia were being mistaught that self-effort and works resulted in salvation and/or a higher level of
spirituality. It was this perverted legalism, and not YHWH's holy laws, that Paul also so vigorously attacked.
Paul's criticisms of legalism must not be misconstrued as an attack against Messianic believers for keeping
biblical commands out of a love for YHWH and a desire to obey Him.
Do not do away with the Law
Y‘shua never said, "do away with" the Law/Torah as we have clearly stated in Matt 5:17-18. This is also
verified by the fact that the word ―fulfill" in the same passage was mistranslated; because the Hebrew word
"kum", as Y‘shua used it, did NOT mean to "finish" or "do away with". Rather, it meant "establish" or
"confirm". (You can find an in-depth study on this subject in Tim Hegg's book, ―It is Often Said‖.)
This is not to say that "works" are promoted in order to obtain eternal life—quite the contrary! Y‘shua was our
final SIN offering, and all must believe His shed blood on the crucifixion stake as the ONLY way to obtain
eternal life.
Because of Y‘shua's sacrifice on the crucifixion stake, both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace through
faith in the Messiah Y‘shua and NOTHING can be added to, or subtracted from that equation! Beware of any
synagogue or church that makes the Torah or "rabbinical stuff" the center of worship, or implies that Y‘shua
was Messiah but NOT Elohim! RUN out of there and put as much distance between you and them as
possible because they are completely off Elohim's path!
So why do I believe that Y‘shua did not "do away with the law" (Torah)? Because we realise that, while the
covenant might have changed as YHWH promised in Jer 31:31, His Torah has not. ―Forever, O Lord, Your
word is settled in heaven‖ (Psalm 119:89). YHWH's provisions have not changed; the penalty for
disobedience has not changed; and YHWH's promises have not changed. What HAS changed?
The lawgiver has changed: Moses is no longer the steward.
The administration has changed: The Torah is administered under a new covenant, no longer on clay tablets
but on our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
The priesthood has changed: Instead of an Aaronic high priest, there is one after the order of Melchizedek –
Y‘shua, the Son of YHWH, YHWH in the flesh (Psalm 110:4).
The purpose of the sacrifice has changed: Under the Sinai Covenant, animal sacrifices were offered to
remission of sins; under the New Covenant, Messiah offered Himself good for all times (Psalm 40:6-8 and