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According to Jewish rabbis, Moses’ Law contains 611 commandments. These commandments regulate every aspect of human life: spirituality, morality, calendar, dress, and even diet. Are Christians obligated to obey each and every one of them?

In Matthew 5.18–19, Jesus seems to answer yes, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

And yet, we know from a variety of passages in the New Testament that Christians are not required to keep all the commandments. Whereas Old Testament believers were commanded to circumcise male infants (Gen. 17.11, Lev. 12.3), for example, New Testament believers are not (Gal. 5.6). Whereas certain foods were considered “unclean” by Old Testament believers (Lev. 11.1–47), all foods are considered “clean” by New Testament believers (Mark 7.19, Acts 10,9–23). And while the Israelites kept the Sabbath, or seventh day, as a day of rest (Ex. 20.8–11), Christians worship God on the Lord’s Day, i.e. Sunday (Acts 20.7, 1 Cor. 16.2, Col. 2.16–17).

How do we resolve this apparent discrepancy between the teaching of Jesus and the practice of his disciples? There is no other way than by paying close attention to what Jesus actually said. Focus your attention on Matthew 5.17: ““I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

At first glance, Jesus seems to be teaching that even the smallest Old Testament laws will always remain in force. But a second look shows that he attaches two conditions to the permanence of the Law: “until heaven and earth disappear” and “until everything is accomplished.” Both of these phrases reappear in Matthew 24.34–35, where Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

To Jesus’ way of thinking, “heaven and earth” describe the way things currently are. But “the kingdom of God/heaven” describes the way things should be. That is why the essence of his gospel is, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4.17). When the kingdom of God comes, heaven and earth begin to pass away, and God brings about a new reality. Paul calls this “the new creation” (2 Cor. 5.17). John calls it “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21.1). Moses’ Law is part of “heaven and earth,” impermanent regulations for an impermanent reality.

The Permanent Reality is Jesus Christ, whose Permanent Regulations “will never pass away.”