Jesus Clearly DID CHANGE the OT Laws

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Jesus Clearly DID CHANGE the OT Laws:
Matthew regarded the Sermon on the Mount as an eptimome of Jesus' Teaching. Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus says he comes not to abolish but to fulfill "the law and the prophets". What laws and prophets was Jesus referring to? Jesus defines "the law and the prophets" in Matthew 7:12: "Always treat others as you would like them to treat you: THAT IS THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS".

It is clearly stated when a Pharisee asks Jesus about which commandment in the law is the greatest (22:36):37 He said "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS."

Jesus respectfully supported the OT scripture but then clarified what he meant by "the Law and the prophets". Jesus was speaking to a mixed audience of Jews and Gentiles. He tried to walk a fine line, to respect the Jewish beliefs in the Torah, but teach that He (Jesus) came and superseded Jewish scriptures.

Jesus showed us how to interpret the Law properly without changing it or making it obsolete as He ushers in the age of Christ as the fulfiller of the law.

Jesus vividly illustrates his approach in the section often called "the six antitheses" (5:21- 48). These are the "you have heard it said..but I say unto you..." In six cases of important issues of Mosaic Law, Jesus dares to contrast his word with God's words. Even more startling, in three cases, on divorce, oaths and vows, and retaliation, Jesus revokes the letter of the Law and replaces it with his own diametrically opposed commands. Immediately after having said he has come to fulfill the scriptures, Jesus sets aside some of them! Apparently the process of "fulfillment of scriptures" includes alterations. In all six antithesis, Jesus applies the Golden Rule to make his alterations of scripture. In the last one, Jesus turns the laws of retaliation upside down and stresses loving even your enemy and doing good.

Just one of the examples is his reversing Ex:21:23-25 where it clearly teaches an eye for an eye, foot for a foot, hand-for-a-hand. But Math 38 says "You have learned...eye for eye..But what I tell you is this: Do not set yourself against the man who wronged you. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer him your left.." etc.

I seems that Jesus carefully without trying to totally shock the jews, did modify the OT laws. This is just one example of many such "changes" Jesus made in the Sermon. Jesus than breaks the sabbath laws, gives a long description why, and breaks other OT laws. This is confusing since what we see as changing the law, Matthew claims is only interpreting the law properly. He is playing word games out of respect for the Jews.

The last verse; Mt 28:20 is clear "Go forth....and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you." Note that is not legalism but only the law of love he just taught.

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