In Matthew, chapter five, Jesus is presented as preaching ultra-strict adherence to the Jewish Law [Torah]. He says:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (MT 5:17-19).

Jesus says, clearly enough, that he advocates strict adherence to the Torah, down to the letter. Whoever breaks the least of these laws, he says, shall be called least in the kingdom. He goes on to give examples of how t

To complicate matters further, Jesus, even though frequently disobeying the Pharisaic priests himself, tells his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do..." (MT 23:2-3). Curiously, immediately after telling them to obey the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus launches into a tirade against them, denouncing them as "hypocrites" seven times, "blind" guides five times, and fools. Why, then, should you one observe all that they bid? If the blind lead the blind will not both fall into the ditch (LK 6:39)?

The question is not really whether or not one should follow the Law of Moses, but whether or not the teachings of Jesus presented by the gospels are consistent. Jesus is presented at one moment as advocating ultra-strict adherence to it, and at the next moment abandoning it. It is clear; however, that Jesus never envisaged a complete abandonment of the law such as came to be promoted by Paul and others.

Some topics in this essay:
Law Torah, Mosaic Law, Supper Jesus, Pharisees Jesus, Law Moses, Jewish Law, Law Sabbath, Paul Leads, Jesus Jew, Laws Jesus, sabbath day, called kingdom, called kingdom heaven, letter law, ultra-strict adherence, kingdom heaven, teach called, tells disciples, drink blood, teach called kingdom, jewish law, scribes pharisees,