FULFILLED, NOT ABOLISHED
Rashawn Nance
Today’s Scripture: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17, ESV
Theme: Jesus validates, expands, and fulfills the Law. By His death, He released us from the punishment of the Law.
THE HEAVY WEIGHT OF THE LAW
There’s a sadness that lingers when we consider the Law—the weight of rules, rituals, and sacrifices that no one could ever truly keep. It’s a sadness that’s honest, because the Law was never meant to be easy. It was a mirror, showing us our flaws, our failures, and just how far we are from perfection. The endless cycle of sacrifices, the blood spilled, and the constant reminder that sin brings death—it’s overwhelming to think about. Sometimes, I imagine what it must have felt like to live under that burden, to know that no matter how hard you tried, it would never be enough.
JESUS STEPS INTO OUR SADNESS
But Jesus—He didn’t come to erase that sadness or pretend it didn’t exist. He stepped right into it. He looked at the Law, at its impossible standards and its heavy cost, and He said, “I will carry this for you.” He didn’t abolish the Law; He fulfilled it, every last word, every demand. He lived the life we couldn’t live, and then, in the greatest act of love, He took the punishment we deserved.
THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
There’s something so honest and raw about that. Jesus didn’t just meet us in our weakness—He took it upon Himself. On the cross, He bore the full weight of the Law’s judgment. The sadness of separation from God, the penalty of death, the endless need for sacrifice—all of it ended with Him. He released us from a debt we could never pay. He turned our sadness into hope.
FREEDOM FROM GUILT AND SHAME
Yet, even now, I sometimes find myself trying to earn what He’s already given. I fall into old patterns, weighed down by guilt or fear that I’ll never be enough. Maybe you’ve felt that way too? Maybe you’re carrying a burden you were never meant to carry—a sense that you have to fix yourself before you come to God, or that your mistakes are too much for His grace.
RESTING IN CHRIST’S FULFILLMENT
If that’s you, know this: Jesus fulfilled the Law for you. He sees your struggle, your sadness, and your honest attempts to do better. And He offers you rest. You don’t have to live under the shadow of what you’ve done or what you can’t do. His sacrifice is enough. His love is enough.
Let that truth sink in. Let it bring you comfort. You are released from the penalty. You are welcomed, forgiven, and free.
Make It Personal: We all carry a heavy burden. Some are known and others we carry alone. I dealt with being in foster care and group homes for years. I wondered, “What could be so bad that my parents would not take care of and provide for me?” Over time I learned, God was who I could depend on. He gave me shelter even though on earth I was homeless. If this devotion spoke to you or if you need someone to pray with you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You’re not alone. With love and prayers, Rashawn.
Pray: Jesus, thank You for stepping into my sadness and carrying the weight I could never bear. Thank You for fulfilling the Law and setting me free. Help me to rest in Your grace and to live each day in the light of Your love. For those who are struggling, feeling lost or unworthy, let them sense Your presence and know that You have already done everything needed. Amen.
Read: Romans 8:1-4
Weekly Memory Verse: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17, ESV