I have come not to abolish but to fulfill the law. As Jesus continues to address the crowds, he makes a remark that appears to interrupt the flow of his teaching. In the remark, Jesus reminds the people who he is, and what role he has come to play. It is a remark that seemingly was triggered from without. The remark comes at an early stage in the ministry of Jesus. But even this early on, Jesus had already made a name for himself. He was hailed as a hero and a man of God by those he healed and fed. However, Jesus’ way of doing things might have as well turned him into a divisive figure. For those leaning on the right, Jesus’ disregard for law and tradition made him an impostor and not a man of God. For those leaning on the left, those who had been uncomfortable with strict and literal application of the laws and traditions, Jesus was their vindication: "You see, one really doesn't need to be a strict adherent of the law for God to work signs through him/her," they might have said. They might even have boasted that the laws and traditions have been superseded by Jesus and as such have become obsolete. And maybe word might have reached the ears of Jesus that this was what was happening. If this be true, then it is to this group, those leaning on the left, that Jesus must have directed his remarks: "I am an upholder of the law. As a matter of fact, I am the fulfillment of the law.” Yes, Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, and it is this very fact that might lead us to think he came to abolish the law. For as St. Paul puts it, the letter kills, the spirit gives life. Jesus is a champion of the spirit of the law. A champion of the spirit of the law understands that laws and traditions should nurture life, not extinguish it. An upholder of the law also understands that traditions and customs must be critically interpreted so that those that do not nurture life are done away with. A closer examination of Jesus' ministry shows that he understood this. He criticized laws that did not give or nurture life. And to those leaning on the right, Jesus reminds them that he is the fulfillment of the law. For law has as its end the preservation and nurturing of life. This is what the life and ministry of Jesus was all about. Moreover, law is meant to lead us to that which Jesus represents: fullness of life. The law is, or rather was meant to lead us to God. Jesus is the full revelation of God. And so, yes, Jesus fulfills the law by transcending it. And by transcending the law, Jesus in a way makes the law obsolete. But he is the law in its fullness, so he hasn’t abolished the law.