I've noticed that. It is surprising how many self-described 'bible Christians' know so little about the Hebrew scriptures, aside from the most well-known narrative portions, mostly in Genesis, Exodus and the books of Kings.
I think He was warning us not to see Him as something separate and disconnected from the events of the Old Testament, but as an EMBODIMENT thereof, a parallel extension of God's love for Israel.
Can you go into this in greater depth? How does this relate to the belief that he "fulfilled the Law", and what, specifically, does it mean to say that he "fulfilled the Law"?
What are your thoughts on Daniel 9, specifically 9:25?
Heheh. Daniel is the "Old Testament" equivalent of the Book of Revelation. Be highly skeptical of anyone who claims to have it all figured out. ;o)
Needless to say, Christians and Jews differ on how they calculate the weeks, and what events they think were prophecied.
Before I respond further on this passage, can you tell me which translation you are using?
Matthew 5:17 -- Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. -- The "or" conjunction makes it clear that the Law and the Prophets are two different issues under discussion. As for the Law, I think He was referring primarily to the requirement for blood sacrifice as atonement for sin. Jesus's innocent life and coming death were literally the fulfillment of that central element of the Law. As for His fulfillment of "the prophets," I see the primary meaning to be, quite simply, that He was indeed the fulfillment of their Messianic prophecies. And as already noted, I think it's also a reminder to future Christians that the entire Bible is important.
Daniel 9:25 -- Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.
This is one of the coolest verses in all the Bible to me. Using 360-day (12 x 30-day months) biblical years and seven-year "weeks" yields...
7 x 7 x 360 = 17,640 days
62 x 7 x 360 = 156,240 days
Total = 173,880 days
Exactly 173,880 days after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem was issued, Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday. It was the one and only day during which he allowed Himself to be treated like royalty. Gives me goosebumps.
How do you interpret/calculate Daniel 9:25?
Interesting trivia question that you probably know the answer to: What ultra-common phrase of our modern lexicon came down through the ages from Daniel 5?
MM