Re: q on Matthew 5:17-20

A very good question!

One view is that since Jesus is driving home a point about the Law, he is using a common form of expression known as hyperbole or exaggeration, just as when he said that it would be easier for a camel (or rope according to some) to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. In other words, Jesus would be saying, "No matter what else happens, even if the universe is destroyed, the law will stand until I fulfill it."

Another view is that although the law is fulfilled in Christ, its demands are only met in those who have accepted his payment for sin on their behalf. The unbelievers, those who refuse his sacrifice for them, are still going to be judged by the Law. Thus when the last unbeliever is finally judged and sentenced, the Law that ruled over them will finally be fulfilled. This is found in Romans 2:12 and 3:19--
"All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God."
But to the believer it says (Romans 6:14), "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."

So by this view, there are 2 laws ruling: one law (grace) ruling over believers, and the other law (the written code of Moses) ruling over unbelievers. One way or another, the law will be fulfilled. It already is in Christ, and we who have accepted him as our Savior are finished with it. But unbelievers have not accepted the payment, so the law still rules over them.

Personally, I think both views could be right. The fact remains, thought, that believers are under the law of Grace, not the old written code.