Torah and Christ

How the Law of Moses leads us to the grace of Jesus

Table of Contents

If you’ve ever opened the Old Testament and felt lost in the pages of commandments, rituals, and ancient laws, you’re not alone. For many Christians, the Torah—the first five books of the Bible—can feel distant or confusing. Does it still matter today? What role does it play in the life of someone who follows Jesus?

Maybe you’ve heard that the Torah is the law, and that Christians are under grace. That’s true—but it’s not the full story. In fact, the Torah reveals the heart of God, His holiness, His mercy, and His long-term plan to bring redemption through Jesus Christ. Understanding the Torah is not just about history—it’s about seeing how every page of the Bible points to Jesus.

This article will help you discover what the Torah really is, why it matters in Christianity, and how it connects directly to the Gospel. Whether you’ve never studied it before or you’re looking to deepen your understanding, you’ll find that the Torah is not just law—it’s a light leading to the Savior.

What Is the Torah?

For many people unfamiliar with the Hebrew Scriptures, the word “Torah” might simply mean “law.” And while that’s partly true, the full meaning is far richer, deeper, and more beautiful.

The Torah is the foundational text of the Hebrew Bible—so central to the Jewish faith that it is often referred to simply as “The Law” or “The Teaching.” But the Torah is not just a book of rules; it is a revelation—a divine unveiling of who God is, how He created the world, how He chose a people, and how He desires relationship with humanity.

The Meaning of the Word “Torah”

The Hebrew word תּוֹרָה (Torah) comes from the root “yarah”, which means “to shoot” or “to guide.” At its core, Torah means “instruction”, “teaching”, or “direction.” It is not merely a set of legal codes; it is God’s guidance for life—showing people how to walk in relationship with Him and with one another.

In this sense, the Torah can be seen not only as a lawbook but as a divine compass—pointing the way toward holiness, justice, and ultimately, toward Christ.

The Five Books of Moses

The Torah consists of the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses and often called the Pentateuch (from the Greek penta = five, teuchos = scrolls or volumes):

Genesis (Bereshit) – The Book of Beginnings
It tells the story of creation, the fall of humanity, the great flood, the Tower of Babel, and the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Genesis reveals God as Creator and Covenant-Maker.
Exodus (Shemot) – The Book of Deliverance
This book recounts God’s dramatic rescue of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It includes the giving of the Ten Commandments and instructions for building the tabernacle. It introduces the themes of redemption and divine presence.
Leviticus (Vayikra) – The Book of Holiness
Focused on laws for priests and worship, Leviticus outlines offerings, sacrifices, purity, and festivals. It emphasizes that God is holy, and His people must also be holy (Leviticus 19:2).
Numbers (Bamidbar) – The Wilderness Journey
This book tells the story of Israel’s 40-year journey through the wilderness. It highlights God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s grumbling, disobedience, and delays in entering the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy (Devarim) – The Covenant Restated
In Moses’ final speeches before his death, he reviews the law, urges covenant loyalty, and prepares the next generation to enter Canaan. It emphasizes obedience from the heart and the blessings and curses tied to covenant faithfulness.

Together, these five books are a unified narrative of origins, identity, divine instruction, and promise. They are not merely historical documents but a sacred framework that shaped the Jewish nation and set the stage for the coming of the Messiah.

The Torah’s Literary Variety and Depth

Though often grouped as “law,” the Torah is a blend of genres—it includes narrative, law, genealogy, poetry, prophecy, and theology. This mixture shows that God’s instruction is not merely regulatory—it’s deeply relational and historical. The stories of Abraham’s faith, Joseph’s forgiveness, and Moses’ leadership are just as much Torah as the Ten Commandments.

Moreover, the Torah is designed to be meditated upon, not just read or followed. In Joshua 1:8, God tells His people:

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night.”

This meditative, heart-centered approach to Torah goes far beyond external rule-keeping. It’s about forming the soul, shaping the mind, and knowing the heart of God.

Torah in Jewish Life and Worship

In Jewish tradition, the Torah is read aloud weekly in synagogues in a systematic cycle. It is kept in a special place—the ark—and treated with profound reverence. This reflects its centrality not just in doctrine but in communal life, identity, and worship.

Children are taught Torah from a young age. Jewish holidays such as Passover, Pentecost (Shavuot), and Yom Kippur are rooted in Torah commandments. The entire rhythm of Jewish life flows from this ancient wellspring of divine instruction.

But what about Christianity? How does this deeply Jewish text find meaning in the lives of Christians today?

The Torah as Christian Scripture

For Christians, the Torah is part of the Old Testament, inspired by God and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Though Christians are not under the Mosaic Law as a covenant, they still honor the Torah as sacred Scripture—full of wisdom, prophecy, and revelation.

It is impossible to understand Jesus, the apostles, or the Gospel itself without knowing the Torah. Jesus quoted from it often, grounded His teachings in it, and fulfilled it perfectly.

In fact, the entire biblical worldview—about creation, sin, justice, sacrifice, holiness, and redemption—is rooted in the Torah. Understanding the Torah gives context and clarity to the New Testament. It connects the reader to a continuous redemptive story that begins in Genesis and culminates in Revelation.

How Christianity Views the Torah

Understanding how Christianity views the Torah requires looking through the lens of both continuity and transformation. While the Torah was given to Israel under the Old Covenant, Christians believe that it still holds divine significance—yet its role has been profoundly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Christianity does not reject the Torah; rather, it sees the Torah as a foundation pointing forward to something greater.

So how does this dynamic work? How can Christians simultaneously honor the Torah as God’s Word while not following all of its laws in daily life?

Let’s explore the Christian perspective in four key areas: Scriptural inheritance, covenant transition, fulfillment in Christ, and transformation by grace.

1. The Torah as God’s Inspired Word

First and foremost, Christians affirm that the Torah is part of Holy Scripture. It is not obsolete or irrelevant. The Torah is God-breathed, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and useful for teaching and shaping the believer’s faith.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

In the context of the early church, “Scripture” primarily referred to the Old Testament—including the Torah. Jesus Himself referred to it constantly, quoting from Deuteronomy, Exodus, and Genesis in His teachings, especially when confronting temptation, Pharisees, and even when revealing His identity.

The Torah is the starting point of God’s redemptive story, and Christianity embraces it as a divine narrative that introduces God’s character, human sin, the promise of a Savior, and the need for grace.

2. The Old Covenant and the New Covenant

Christian theology recognizes a fundamental shift in covenantal relationship between God and humanity. The Torah was given as the core of the Old Covenant—the agreement between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. This covenant established Israel as God’s people, with laws that governed worship, morality, purity, and justice.

However, the New Covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and fulfilled in Jesus, replaces the old not by abolishing it, but by fulfilling and surpassing it:

“I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts… I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
— Jeremiah 31:33–34

Jesus affirmed this shift during the Last Supper:

“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
— Luke 22:20

This doesn’t mean the Torah is discarded—it means its external form is transformed into an internal reality, written on the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit.

3. Fulfillment, Not Abolishment

Jesus made one of His most crucial statements about the Torah in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
— Matthew 5:17 (NIV)

This single verse is the hinge on which Christianity’s view of the Torah turns.

What does it mean that Jesus “fulfilled” the law?

He obeyed it perfectly — living a sinless life in total harmony with God’s commands
He revealed its true meaning — exposing shallow legalism and revealing the heart of God behind each command (e.g., anger as murder in the heart, lust as adultery)
He completed its purpose — becoming the ultimate sacrifice, the true High Priest, the perfect Passover Lamb, and the mediator of a new covenant

In fulfilling the Torah, Jesus brought it to its intended goal. Just as a seed is fulfilled in becoming a tree, the Torah was fulfilled in becoming the Gospel.

4. Grace Transforms the Law

The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee trained in Torah from youth, gives deep insight into how Christians should view the law. In Romans, Galatians, and Philippians, Paul explains that righteousness does not come through the law but through faith in Christ:

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”
— Romans 3:20

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
— Galatians 2:21

The law has value—it reveals God’s standards and human sin—but it cannot save. Only grace can save. Only the finished work of Jesus can cleanse the conscience, remove guilt, and grant eternal life.

Paul describes the law as a guardian or schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24) that led us to Christ. But once Christ came, we are no longer under that guardian in the same way.

This doesn’t mean lawlessness—it means transformation. We now live by the Spirit, who empowers us to love God and love others, which Jesus declared to be the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36–40).

5. A New Identity Rooted in Christ

One of the key aspects of Christianity’s view of the Torah is the shift in identity. Under the Old Covenant, identity was defined by law-keeping, ritual purity, and national heritage (Israel as God’s people).

In the New Covenant, identity is defined by faith in Christ, being born again, and being filled with the Holy Spirit—regardless of ethnicity, background, or past sins.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
— Galatians 3:28

This new identity doesn’t erase the Torah—it places it in its rightful context: as a witness to Jesus and a preparation for the Gospel.

6. Continuity with Distinction

To summarize, Christianity’s view of the Torah is one of reverent continuity with critical distinction:

The Torah is holy and reveals God’s nature.
The Torah is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The Torah is not the path to salvation, but a preparation for it.
The Torah still teaches us, but we no longer live under it as law-bound citizens of Israel—we live under grace as children of God through faith.

When Christians read the Torah today, they see God’s justice, mercy, promises, and shadows of redemption—all of which come to light in the person of Jesus. In Him, the Torah becomes more than law; it becomes love fulfilled.

The Role of the Torah in the Old Testament

To understand the full power and purpose of the Torah, we must step into the world of the Old Testament—a world where God’s voice thundered from Mount Sinai, where smoke rose from altars, and where covenant wasn’t just a spiritual idea but the heartbeat of an entire nation’s identity.

The Torah was never meant to be just a legal code. It was the constitution of Israel, the record of God’s promises, and the pathway to holiness for a people called to live differently in the midst of a broken world.

Let’s explore how the Torah functioned in Israel’s life, and what it reveals about the character of God and His long-term redemptive plan.

1. Covenant: The Heart of the Torah

The Torah is the heart of what Scripture calls the Old Covenant—a sacred agreement between God and the people of Israel. This covenant was established after their miraculous exodus from Egypt, when God delivered them from slavery by His mighty hand.

At Mount Sinai, God spoke directly to His people and gave them commandments. He didn’t give the law while they were still in Egypt—He gave it after He had rescued them, showing that salvation came first, and obedience was a response to grace, not a condition of it.

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples.”
— Exodus 19:5

The law was a relational covenant—God committed Himself to Israel, and Israel was called to commit themselves to Him. It was not merely about keeping rules; it was about walking with a holy God.

2. Identity: Shaping a Holy Nation

The Torah served to shape the Israelites into a people set apart for God’s purposes. It wasn’t just spiritual—it defined every aspect of life:

Worship – How to approach God in reverence through sacrifices and festivals
Ethics – How to treat others with justice, mercy, and honesty
Purity – What made one clean or unclean, symbolizing the need for holiness
Community – How to care for the poor, the widow, the foreigner, and even the land

Every law reflected God’s desire for a nation that would reflect His character to the world:

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”
— Leviticus 19:2

Through the Torah, Israel was called to be a light to the nations—a living example of what it means to know and worship the true God.

3. Law: Moral, Civil, and Ceremonial

The Torah contains many types of law, which theologians often group into three categories:

Moral Law: Universal commands such as the Ten Commandments—dealing with honesty, sexual ethics, justice, idolatry, and reverence for God.
Civil Law: Instructions for governing the community—legal procedures, property laws, punishment for crimes.
Ceremonial Law: Regulations for worship—offerings, temple rituals, clean/unclean foods, priesthood.

All of these laws were given to shape Israel’s behavior, worship, and justice system in ways that reflected God’s order and compassion.

But while these laws were deeply binding, they were also temporary shadows—pointing forward to something greater.

4. Sacrifice: A System of Substitution

One of the most striking parts of the Torah is the sacrificial system. Animals were offered for sin, peace, thanksgiving, and purification. Blood was shed to atone for guilt and maintain fellowship with God.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”
— Leviticus 17:11

This constant rhythm of sacrifice taught Israel two deep truths:

Sin is serious and deserves death
God is merciful and allows a substitute

Every lamb offered at the altar pointed ahead to a future, final Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

5. Festivals: Remembering and Rehearsing Redemption

The Torah also instituted holy days and feasts that were not only commemorations of past events, but prophetic rehearsals of future ones:

Passover remembered the Exodus—and pointed to Christ’s crucifixion.
Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) celebrated harvest—and coincided with the giving of the Holy Spirit.
Day of Atonement reflected Israel’s need for forgiveness—and pointed to the atoning work of Jesus.

In every ritual and calendar rhythm, Israel was being trained to look forward—to hope, to Messiah, to God’s greater deliverance.

6. Failure and Prophecy

Despite the beauty and order of the Torah, Israel consistently failed to keep it. The prophets warned that external obedience without inward love was meaningless. God longed for hearts, not just sacrifices.

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”
— Isaiah 29:13

The Torah exposed the reality of sin and the impossibility of achieving righteousness by works alone. Yet even in this failure, God gave prophetic hope—that one day, a new covenant would be written not on stone, but on human hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

The Torah’s role, then, was not just to guide or command—it was to prepare, to prophesy, and to pave the way for a greater redemption that only God Himself could bring.

Jesus and the Torah — Fulfillment, Not Abolishment

One of the most misunderstood ideas about Jesus’ relationship to the Torah is that He came to cancel it. But Jesus Himself completely rejects that notion. Instead, He speaks of the Torah with the utmost reverence and clarity, declaring not its abolishment, but its fulfillment.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
— Matthew 5:17 (NIV)

In this powerful statement from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus positions Himself as the true fulfillment of the Torah. To understand this, we need to explore what “fulfillment” means—not in a shallow sense of “replacement,” but in the deeper, richer sense of completion, embodiment, and purpose-realized.

1. Jesus Obeyed the Torah Perfectly

From His birth to His final breath, Jesus lived in complete obedience to the Law. Born under the Law (Galatians 4:4), circumcised on the eighth day, dedicated in the temple, attending Passover, and observing the feasts—Jesus upheld the Torah in spirit and in truth.

He did not pick and choose which commandments to obey. He honored the moral law (loving God and neighbor), respected the ceremonial law (observing the rituals and sacrifices until His own body became the final offering), and fulfilled the prophetic dimensions of the Torah through His life and death.

This perfect obedience is not just remarkable—it’s essential to salvation. Why?

Because the Torah demanded perfection. And no human being could meet that demand—except the sinless Son of God. He obeyed in our place, so that His righteousness could be credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).

2. Jesus Revealed the True Meaning of the Law

In Matthew 5:21–48, Jesus begins a repeated refrain:
“You have heard that it was said… but I say to you…”

With this formula, He is not contradicting the Torah—He is deepening it. He strips away the legalistic interpretations of the Pharisees and reestablishes the law’s true intent: to shape the heart, not just external behavior.

Examples:

Murder is not just the act, but the anger behind it.
Adultery is not just the betrayal, but the lust behind the eyes.
Revenge is replaced by forgiveness, hate by love—even for one’s enemies.

In doing this, Jesus upholds the law’s true aim: transforming the heart to reflect God’s holiness and mercy. The Torah wasn’t just a rulebook; it was a mirror—showing how far we fall short and how much we need divine grace.

3. Jesus Fulfilled the Prophecies and Patterns in the Torah

The Torah is full of shadows, types, and symbols—things that point forward to a greater reality. Jesus fulfills every one of them:

The Passover lamb – He is the Lamb whose blood saves from death (Exodus 12 ➝ John 1:29)
The manna in the wilderness – He is the true Bread from Heaven (Exodus 16 ➝ John 6:35)
The bronze serpent – He is lifted up for healing (Numbers 21 ➝ John 3:14)
The High Priest – He intercedes for sinners once and for all (Leviticus ➝ Hebrews 4:14–16)
The sacrificial system – He is the final, perfect atonement (Leviticus ➝ Hebrews 10:1–14)
The temple – He is the dwelling place of God among men (Exodus 25 ➝ John 2:19–21)

The entire structure of the Torah is like a blueprint for a building. And Jesus is the building itself. Once the reality arrives, the shadow is not discarded—but celebrated for having led us to the truth.

4. Jesus Ended the Law’s Condemnation Through the Cross

The Torah carried blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28). No one—no king, no prophet, no priest—ever fully kept the law. Therefore, all stood under its judgment.

But on the cross, Jesus took that curse upon Himself:

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”
— Galatians 3:13

He did what the blood of bulls and goats could never do: permanently remove sin. The curtain of the temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that the sacrificial and priestly system had reached its divine fulfillment.

The debt was paid. The law’s demands were met. The curse was lifted.

5. Jesus Begins a New Way to Obey — Through the Spirit

Jesus didn’t erase morality or holiness. Instead, He transferred the source of righteousness from external observance to internal transformation through the Holy Spirit.

“I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”
— Ezekiel 36:27

Under the Old Covenant, obedience came through pressure and fear. Under the New Covenant, it comes through love and empowerment. The Spirit writes the law on hearts—not tablets.

This is not antinomianism (lawlessness). It is Christ-centered obedience—where we love God, pursue justice, show mercy, and walk humbly because we have first been loved.

In every way, Jesus affirms the value of the Torah while transcending it. He is not merely the best interpreter of the law—He is the fulfillment of its every word.

“These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”
— John 5:39

What the New Testament Says About Torah

As the early Church took shape in the decades after Christ’s resurrection, one of the most urgent theological questions was: What do we do with the Law of Moses now? With Gentiles entering the Church, the temple destroyed in 70 A.D., and the new covenant spreading across the Roman world, the apostles had to clearly define the role of the Torah in light of the cross.

The New Testament provides a consistent, Spirit-led perspective on the Torah. While it honors the Law as holy and inspired, it reveals that its ultimate purpose was not to bring salvation—but to lead us to Christ, who is Himself the fulfillment of the Law.

Let’s examine how key New Testament voices—especially Paul, the book of Hebrews, and Jesus’ apostles—address the Torah.

1. Paul: The Law as a Tutor Leading to Christ

No one in the New Testament writes more extensively about the Torah than the Apostle Paul. Once a zealous Pharisee (Philippians 3:5–6), Paul had been trained to strictly uphold the Torah. But after encountering the risen Christ, Paul’s understanding was radically transformed.

His letters make three central points about the Torah:

a. The Law Reveals Sin, But Cannot Save

“Through the law we become conscious of sin.”
— Romans 3:20

The Torah acts as a mirror, exposing the reality of human rebellion. It names sin, defines holiness, and shows that no one is righteous by their own works.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23

But while the Torah diagnoses the problem, it cannot cure it. That is the role of grace in Christ.

b. Justification Is by Faith, Not Law

“A person is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 2:16

Paul fiercely defends the truth that salvation is by grace, through faith—not by human performance. This was particularly important as some early Jewish believers insisted that Gentile converts must keep the Torah (e.g., be circumcised or follow dietary laws).

Paul’s reply was direct: If righteousness could come through the Torah, Christ died for nothing (Galatians 2:21).

c. The Law Was a Guardian Until Christ

“So the law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith.”
— Galatians 3:24 (NIV)

The Greek word translated as “guardian” (paidagōgos) refers to a tutor or supervisor who trains a child until maturity. In this metaphor, the Torah prepared people to understand holiness, justice, sacrifice, and the seriousness of sin. But once Christ came, the guardian’s task was complete.

Now, Christians live not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).

2. The Book of Hebrews: From Shadow to Substance

While Paul explains the legal and theological function of the Torah, the book of Hebrews reveals its prophetic and symbolic nature—especially the priesthood, temple, and sacrifices.

a. The Law as a Shadow

“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.”
— Hebrews 10:1

The Torah’s rituals pointed to a greater reality—to Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, the spotless sacrifice, the mediator of a new covenant.

Just as a shadow suggests the presence of something real nearby, the Torah was full of foreshadowings—but the substance is found in Christ.

b. Jesus: The Better Priest, the Better Sacrifice

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest… he entered once for all into the holy places… by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
— Hebrews 9:11–12

In the Old Covenant, sacrifices were repeated daily. But Jesus, by offering Himself once for all, fulfilled and replaced the sacrificial system (Hebrews 10:10). He is the final atonement, the perfect mediator, and the end of ceremonial law.

c. The Covenant Has Changed

“By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete.”
— Hebrews 8:13

This does not mean that God’s Word is no longer valuable—it means the covenantal system governed by Torah law has been superseded by a new, better covenant built on the promises of grace.

3. Acts and the Apostolic Church: Law and Gentile Believers

The early church faced a major question: Must Gentile Christians keep the Torah? This issue nearly split the early believers. It came to a head in Acts 15, during the Jerusalem Council.

The conclusion, led by Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James, was revolutionary:

“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements…”
— Acts 15:28

Gentiles were not required to be circumcised or follow the full Mosaic Law. Instead, they were urged to abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, and blood—basic ethical instructions to preserve unity and purity.

This moment affirmed that the Church is a new people of God, composed of Jew and Gentile, united not by Torah observance but by faith in Jesus.

4. Jesus’ Apostles and the New Way of Obedience

Even as they honored their Jewish heritage, Jesus’ apostles emphasized a new way of life—not governed by Torah commands, but by the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2), which is love empowered by the Holy Spirit.

“Whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
— Romans 13:8

They didn’t discard God’s moral will—they embodied it more deeply through Spirit-filled living. The goal was not just external conformity, but transformed hearts that naturally walked in God’s ways.

In the New Testament, the Torah is not viewed as irrelevant or evil. On the contrary—it is respected, quoted, and treasured. But it is also shown to be temporary, preparatory, and incomplete apart from Christ.

Jesus is not just the end of the Law—He is its goal, its fulfillment, and its eternal interpreter. Through Him, what the Torah hinted at becomes reality: grace, truth, righteousness, and eternal life.

Should Christians Keep the Torah?

One of the most frequently asked questions among believers—both new and mature—is this:
“If the Torah is God’s law, should Christians still obey it?”

This is not just a theological puzzle. It’s deeply personal. Some Christians feel drawn to the rhythms of Torah life—Sabbaths, dietary laws, feasts—while others believe that grace means complete freedom from the Law. How should we approach this tension?

The answer requires careful, prayerful consideration of the New Testament’s teaching, the purpose of the Law, and the new identity we have in Christ.

1. The Law Is Holy, but Its Covenant Has Passed

First, we affirm what Paul himself declared:

“So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”
— Romans 7:12

The Torah is not a problem. It is beautiful, wise, and reveals God’s character. But the covenant to which the Torah belonged—the Sinai covenant with national Israel—has been fulfilled and surpassed by a new and better covenant in Christ (Hebrews 8:6).

Christians are no longer under the Mosaic covenant. We are under a new covenant written on our hearts, not tablets of stone (Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3).

That means we don’t keep Torah laws as covenant obligations—but that doesn’t mean we throw them away. Instead, we approach them with honor, wisdom, and Christ-centered understanding.

2. Understanding the Types of Torah Laws

Many Christian theologians divide the Torah into three basic types of law. While this classification is not explicit in the Bible, it’s helpful for understanding how different laws function:

a. Moral Laws

These are timeless commands reflecting God’s holy character—such as do not murder, do not steal, honor your father and mother, and worship God alone.
Still relevant today? Yes. Moral laws are repeated in the New Testament and apply universally. They are fulfilled in Christ, not abolished.

b. Ceremonial Laws

These include temple sacrifices, ritual washings, dietary laws, priestly garments, and festivals. They taught Israel how to approach God in holiness.
Still relevant today? Not in practice. They were fulfilled in Christ, who is our sacrifice, our priest, and our temple. But they are deeply meaningful and teach us about Jesus (Colossians 2:16–17).

c. Civil Laws

These laws governed ancient Israel’s society—property rights, war rules, judicial procedures.
Still relevant today? No longer binding. They were specific to Israel’s national life and no longer apply under the global Church. However, they reflect God’s justice and should inform ethical thinking.

3. We Are Not Saved by the Law

The most critical truth for every believer to grasp is this:
Keeping the Torah cannot save us.

“For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
— Romans 3:28

This was the heartbeat of the Reformation—and of Paul’s entire message. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Any attempt to earn righteousness by law-keeping nullifies grace (Galatians 2:21).

We obey not to be saved—but because we are saved.

4. Christian Freedom and the Law of Christ

Paul made it clear that Christians have been set free from the law:

“You are not under the law, but under grace.”
— Romans 6:14

But this freedom is not lawlessness. It is a new kind of obedience—empowered by the Holy Spirit and rooted in love. Paul calls this the “law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), summed up by:

“Love the Lord your God… and love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Matthew 22:37–40

This love does what the Torah could never do: it transforms hearts, not just behaviors. It makes us want to obey—not out of fear, but because we delight in the One who loved us first.

5. What About Keeping the Sabbath or Jewish Feasts?

Some Christians today are rediscovering the beauty of the Sabbath or the richness of Jewish festivals like Passover and Tabernacles. This can be a wonderful spiritual enrichment—as long as it’s done freely, not legalistically.

Paul addresses this in Colossians 2:16–17:

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival… These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

The shadow is beautiful, but the substance is Christ. If you celebrate a feast, do it to honor Him—not to earn favor or out of obligation. If you rest on the Sabbath, let it be a gift—not a requirement.

We are free to learn from Torah traditions—but we are not bound to them.

6. Living by the Spirit, Not the Letter

Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 3 that we are no longer ministers of the letter of the law, but of the Spirit. Why?

“The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:6

Trying to follow the Torah without the Spirit leads to pride, fear, or despair. But when the Spirit writes God’s law on our hearts, we are transformed from within.

This is the true fulfillment of Torah—not merely in behavior, but in becoming new creations in Christ.

7. Summary: Should Christians Keep the Torah?

Yes, in the sense of honoring its moral wisdom and seeing it fulfilled in Christ.
No, in the sense of being bound by its ceremonial or civil codes.
Yes, if the Spirit leads you to embrace parts of Torah life as a joyful expression of faith.
No, if you treat it as a way to earn salvation or feel superior to others.

In Christ, we are free from the law—but we are not free from love. And love is the very heart of the Torah, fulfilled perfectly in Jesus.

Torah as a Foreshadowing of Jesus

The more deeply we read the Torah, the more clearly we begin to see that it is not merely a set of ancient laws—it is a portrait in shadows. Every chapter, every law, every symbol prepares the way for Jesus Christ, who is the substance behind the shadow, the fulfillment of every promise, and the true meaning behind every ritual and command.

Jesus didn’t appear out of nowhere in the New Testament. He is the thread that runs through all of Scripture, beginning in Genesis and unfolding through the Torah. The Torah is filled with prophetic images, rituals, and historical events that were not ends in themselves, but signposts pointing to the Savior.

Let’s explore some of the most powerful ways the Torah foreshadows Jesus.

1. The Passover Lamb — A Substitute That Saves

One of the most iconic events in the Torah is the first Passover in Exodus 12. God instructed each Israelite household to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to their doorposts. That night, as judgment fell upon Egypt, death “passed over” every home marked by the blood.

This was not just a historical rescue—it was a preview of redemption through Christ.

“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
— 1 Corinthians 5:7

Jesus was without sin, the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29). His blood, applied not to doorposts but to believing hearts, delivers us from eternal death and brings us safely through judgment.

Passover was a shadow—Jesus is the substance.

2. The Sacrificial System — A Picture of Atonement

The Torah is filled with instructions for offerings: burnt offerings, sin offerings, peace offerings, guilt offerings. Animals were to be without defect. Blood had to be shed. The high priest would lay hands on the sacrifice, symbolizing substitution.

Why all the blood?

“Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.”
— Hebrews 9:22

These sacrifices could not truly cleanse the conscience—they were reminders of sin (Hebrews 10:3). But they pointed forward to the one, final, perfect sacrifice: Jesus.

“We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
— Hebrews 10:10

He didn’t just cover sin—He removed it.

3. The Tabernacle — God Dwelling Among Us

In Exodus, God commands Moses to build a tabernacle—a sacred tent where His presence would dwell among His people. Every detail—from the veil, to the golden ark, to the incense—was symbolic.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
— John 1:14

The Greek word for “dwelling” is σκηνόω (skēnoō)—literally, “to tabernacle.”

Jesus is the true tabernacle—the presence of God in human form. He is the mercy seat, the lampstand, the bread of life, and the veil that was torn to give us access to the Father (Matthew 27:51).

The physical tabernacle was a pattern (Hebrews 8:5). Jesus is the reality.

4. The High Priest — Our Mediator Before God

Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year—on the Day of Atonement—to sprinkle blood for the nation’s sins (Leviticus 16). He had to offer sacrifices for himself and wear sacred garments.

But Hebrews declares that Jesus is now our Great High Priest:

“We have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God.”
— Hebrews 4:14

Unlike human priests, Jesus is sinless. He offered not a lamb, but Himself, and entered not an earthly temple, but heaven itself—once for all.

And He still intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). The priesthood was a shadow—Jesus is the eternal Priest-King.

5. The Bronze Serpent — Healing Through Faith

In Numbers 21, the Israelites were bitten by venomous snakes as a judgment for their rebellion. God told Moses to raise a bronze serpent on a pole—anyone who looked at it would live.

Jesus directly connects this image to His crucifixion:

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
— John 3:14–15

The bronze serpent was not magic—it was a symbol of faith. In the same way, salvation comes by looking to Jesus in faith—trusting His sacrifice, not our efforts.

6. The Manna — The Bread from Heaven

In Exodus 16, God fed Israel in the wilderness with manna, a mysterious bread from heaven. It was daily provision for a journey they could not survive alone.

Jesus declared:

“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.”
— John 6:48–50

Manna satisfied the body for a day. Jesus satisfies the soul for eternity.

7. The Feasts — God’s Calendar of Redemption

Leviticus 23 outlines seven major feasts of Israel. Each one not only celebrated a past event but prophetically announced future redemption in Christ:

Passover – Jesus’ crucifixion as the Lamb
Unleavened Bread – His sinless body in the tomb
Firstfruits – His resurrection
Pentecost – The coming of the Holy Spirit
Trumpets – A future return of Christ
Day of Atonement – Final judgment and cleansing
Tabernacles – God dwelling eternally with His people

God’s calendar was always centered on Jesus—the fulfillment of every feast.

8. The Covenant — From Stone to Heart

In Exodus 24, Moses sprinkled blood and read the Book of the Covenant. The people vowed to obey. But they failed.

The prophets, especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel, looked forward to a new covenant:

“I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.”
— Jeremiah 31:33

Jesus established this covenant at the Last Supper:

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
— Luke 22:20

What the Torah foreshadowed through tablets of stone and sprinkled blood, Jesus fulfilled through His own blood and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Every thread in the Torah ultimately weaves into one tapestry: Christ crucified, risen, and reigning. The Torah is not opposed to the Gospel—it preaches it in advance. The shadows of lambs, priests, and temples find their form in Jesus—the Lamb of God, the High Priest forever, and the true Temple.

As Jesus told the disciples on the road to Emmaus:

“Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
— Luke 24:27

Why Studying the Torah Deepens Your Faith

If you’re a Christian, you might be tempted to skip over the Torah in your Bible reading plan—especially when you reach long chapters of laws, genealogies, and priestly details. But what if avoiding the Torah means missing out on some of the most powerful truths God has ever revealed?

The Torah isn’t just for ancient Israel. It’s for you. And when you study it through the lens of Christ, your faith can be rooted more deeply, strengthened more fully, and ignited more passionately.

Here’s why the Torah still matters—and why studying it can transform your relationship with God.

1. It Reveals the Heart and Character of God

Every law, every command, and every story in the Torah flows from one place: the heart of God. He is not arbitrary. He is not distant. He is holy, just, compassionate, and faithful.

When you read the Torah, you see:

God as Creator — bringing order from chaos (Genesis 1)
God as Covenant-Maker — binding Himself to broken people (Genesis 12, 15)
God as Deliverer — rescuing the oppressed (Exodus 14)
God as Provider — giving manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16)
God as Lawgiver — defining what is good, just, and pure (Exodus 20)
God as Patient Shepherd — leading a rebellious people with mercy (Numbers, Deuteronomy)

When you study the Torah, you encounter a God who is not only powerful, but personal. He enters into human history. He hears cries. He keeps promises. And He prepares the way for the One who will save us all.

2. It Teaches You to Take Sin Seriously

Modern culture minimizes sin. It rebrands disobedience as “mistakes,” and guilt as “personal baggage.” But the Torah won’t let you take sin lightly.

In Genesis, sin separates humanity from God and destroys brotherhood (Cain and Abel).
In Exodus and Leviticus, sacrifices are required for atonement—blood must be shed.
In Numbers, disobedience leads to wandering, loss, and death.

Why such seriousness? Because sin offends a holy God and damages what He loves.

But this isn’t to crush you. It’s to lead you to grace.

“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”
— Romans 5:20

The Torah prepares your heart to truly appreciate the cross. When you understand the cost of sin, you begin to understand the depth of God’s mercy.

3. It Helps You Understand Jesus More Deeply

The Torah is Christ-centered in ways you may have never realized:

The sacrifices point to His death.
The High Priest points to His intercession.
The tabernacle points to His presence.
The law points to His holiness.
The manna points to His sufficiency.
The feasts point to His redemption story.

Jesus Himself said:

“If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.”
— John 5:46

If you want to love Jesus more, learn what Moses wrote. You’ll find Jesus on every page.

When you study the Torah, you don’t just get a history lesson—you get a spiritual unveiling. The symbols and stories prepare your heart to worship the Savior they were always pointing to.

4. It Grounds You in the Whole Counsel of God

The Bible is not a collection of disconnected books—it’s one unified story. But if you don’t understand the beginning, you’ll never fully grasp the end.

Genesis explains why we need a Savior.
Exodus introduces the language of redemption.
Leviticus teaches holiness and sacrifice.
Numbers shows faith in the wilderness.
Deuteronomy calls for heart-based obedience.

These themes echo throughout Scripture and culminate in Jesus. Without the Torah, your faith can become shallow, sentimental, or disconnected.

With the Torah, your faith becomes anchored, historical, and profoundly biblical.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,
so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
— Romans 15:4

The Torah is not obsolete—it’s essential.

5. It Equips You for Holy Living

While Christians are not under the law, the Torah still offers wisdom for righteous living. God’s moral commands are still true:

Justice matters.
Compassion matters.
Integrity matters.
Purity matters.
Worship matters.

Paul writes:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16

That includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

As you read the Torah, ask:

What does this reveal about God’s priorities?
How does this point to Christ?
How can I live in light of this truth, through the Spirit?

You’ll find that the Torah doesn’t bind you—it builds you up in the grace and knowledge of God.

6. It Deepens Your Awe for God’s Plan

When you study the Torah, you begin to see God’s long, patient work unfolding over centuries. You see how He chooses the unlikely, endures rebellion, keeps His promises, and slowly shapes history toward redemption.

From the seed of Eve to the sacrifice of Isaac…
From the lamb’s blood in Egypt to the manna in the desert…
From the pillar of fire to the mountain of Sinai…

God was always moving His plan forward. And the more you see that, the more you’ll trust Him in your own life.

Even when the road is long.
Even when the wilderness seems endless.
Even when you don’t understand.

The God of the Torah is the same God today—faithful, wise, and full of mercy.

So why study the Torah?
Because through it, you will see God more clearly, understand Christ more deeply, and live your faith more fully.

It is not a dead law—it is living preparation.
It is not legalism—it is liberation through Christ.
It is not just history—it is holy ground.

Torah in the Christian Life Today

For modern Christians, the Torah can feel like a distant echo—ancient laws, long-past rituals, and unfamiliar customs. And yet, when we see it through the lens of Christ, the Torah becomes intimately relevant to our everyday lives. Not because we are bound by it as a legal code, but because we are formed by its meaning.

The Torah still shapes the believer’s journey—not by commanding us with fear, but by inviting us into a deeper relationship with the God who authored it, fulfilled it, and now writes His law upon our hearts.

So how should Christians live in relation to the Torah today?

1. No Longer Under Law — But Not Lawless

Paul’s words in Romans 6:14 are clear and liberating:

“You are not under law but under grace.”

This does not mean we cast aside all moral teaching or abandon holiness. Rather, it means we have moved from an external, rule-based covenant to an internal, Spirit-filled relationship.

We are no longer required to observe:

The ceremonial laws (sacrifices, clean/unclean rituals, feast obligations)
The civil laws specific to ancient Israel’s theocracy
The legalistic burden of earning righteousness through Torah observance

But we are still called to honor the heart of the Torah—justice, mercy, faithfulness, holiness. These are fulfilled in Christ and lived out in us through the Spirit.

Jesus didn’t erase the Torah—He fulfilled it, and now lives His fulfillment through us.

2. Walking in Fulfillment, Not Obligation

The New Testament never suggests that the Torah was wrong or bad—it calls it holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). But its purpose was always temporary, designed to lead us to something better.

“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
— Romans 10:4

The Greek word for “end” is telos—meaning goal, completion, or fulfillment. Jesus is not the end as in “termination,” but the climax and purpose of the Torah.

So now, when we live by faith in Jesus, we are walking in the very fulfillment of Torah’s purpose:

We love God and neighbor (the heart of the law)
We rest in Christ, our Sabbath
We offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1)
We become temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)
We proclaim liberty and justice—the Year of Jubilee fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 4:18–21)

This is not less spiritual—it is more. This is Torah in full bloom.

3. Reading the Torah with New Eyes

When you open Genesis or Leviticus as a Christian, you’re not reading to find religious obligations—you’re reading to see the roots of your faith.

Read the Torah like a treasure map. Look for:

God’s character revealed in His laws and actions
Human brokenness repeated through every generation
Glimpses of Christ in every offering, leader, miracle, and covenant
Hope in every promise God made

You will begin to see the unity of the Bible. What seemed boring or difficult will start to shimmer with gospel light. The Torah is no longer a wall separating you from God—it’s a window revealing His glory.

4. Practicing Freedom with Wisdom

Some believers today are drawn to Torah-based practices—celebrating feasts, observing Sabbath, or studying Hebrew traditions. This can be beautiful and enriching, as long as it’s not rooted in fear or legalism.

Paul gives clear guidance in Colossians 2:16–17:

“Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival… These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

We are free to:

Keep or not keep the Sabbath
Celebrate or not celebrate biblical feasts
Follow dietary practices or not

But we must not judge others or elevate tradition above Christ. Our identity is not in Torah observance—it is in Jesus.

Use your freedom wisely. Let Torah traditions draw you closer to Christ—not distract you from Him.

5. Living the Law of Love

Jesus said the greatest commandments were these:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Matthew 22:37–39

“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
— Matthew 22:40

This is the essence of Torah. And in Christ, we are now empowered to actually live it.

Through the Holy Spirit, we:

Forgive like Joseph
Intercede like Moses
Walk humbly like Abraham
Speak truth like the prophets
Offer ourselves like the sacrifices
Love mercy and do justice like Torah called us to do

We are not under Torah—but we are filled with the same Spirit who authored it.

6. Growing in Grace and Truth

The Torah came through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). But these are not opposites—they are the same river, flowing from different seasons.

The law gave structure, boundaries, and shadows.

Grace gives life, power, and fulfillment.

If you only know grace without Torah, your faith may become shallow. If you know Torah without grace, your faith may become harsh.

But when you bring them together in Christ, you discover the fullness of God’s heart—justice and mercy, law and love, truth and compassion.

The Torah in the Christian life today is not a burden—it is a blessing.
Not as a list of rules, but as a story that points to your Redeemer.
Not as a way to earn favor, but as a mirror that shows your need for grace.
Not as a heavy weight, but as a holy witness.

And now, through Jesus, the Torah is fulfilled in you—by faith, by love, and by the Spirit who writes God’s law on your heart.

Final Invitation: Torah Leads to Christ

At the heart of the Torah is a divine whisper, growing louder with every page:
“You cannot save yourself—but I will send One who can.”

From the moment Adam and Eve fell, the Torah begins to unfold a plan—not of human achievement, but of divine mercy. It teaches us that no matter how many sacrifices we offer, how many laws we follow, how many rituals we observe, our hearts are still far from God.

But the Torah doesn’t leave us in despair. It points forward, with every command, every offering, every feast, and every promise—to Jesus Christ.

“The law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith.”
— Galatians 3:24

The Torah leads us to the foot of Mount Sinai—where God is holy and we tremble in fear.
But then it leads us further—to the foot of the cross, where God is holy and merciful, and we fall in worship.

The Problem: Sin Has Broken Our Relationship with God

The Torah makes one thing heartbreakingly clear:
Sin separates us from the God who made us.

Adam and Eve were banished from Eden.
Israel wandered because of disobedience.
Sacrifices had to be repeated again and again.

And we are no different. We lie, we judge, we hate, we lust, we run. We are guilty. No law-keeping can erase that.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23

God’s holiness demands justice. His law demands perfection. And none of us can reach it.

The Good News: Jesus Has Fulfilled the Law and Paid the Price

This is where the Gospel bursts into view.

Jesus Christ came—not to hand us a longer list of laws, but to fulfill the entire Torah in our place. He lived the perfect life we could never live, and then died the death we deserved.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:21

He is the Lamb. The Priest. The Temple. The Bread. The Rock. The Lawgiver. The Redeemer.

He didn’t cancel the Torah—He embodied it, completed it, and then invited us into the life it promised all along.

The Response: Repent and Believe

The Torah teaches us we are lost.
Jesus comes to find us.

The Torah shows us our sin.
Jesus comes to forgive it.

The Torah commands holiness.
Jesus comes to give us His own.

What do you need to do?

Repent. Turn from sin, pride, and self-effort.
Believe. Trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, Lord, and Redeemer.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— Romans 10:9

A Prayer You Can Pray Right Now

God, I see now that I cannot save myself. Your law is good, but I fall short every day.
I believe that Jesus is the One the Torah was pointing to.
I believe He died for my sins and rose again.
I turn from my sin and place my trust in Him.
Forgive me. Save me. Fill me with Your Spirit and teach me to walk in Your ways—by grace, not by fear.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What’s Next?

If you just prayed that prayer or want to keep seeking truth:

Start reading the Gospel of John to meet Jesus personally.
Read Genesis and Exodus to see where your salvation story began.
Find a Bible-believing church where Christ is worshiped and the Scriptures are preached.
Pray daily, not with fancy words, but with an open heart.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand God’s Word—including the Torah—as part of your new life in Christ.

The Torah has done its job if it brings you to the Savior.

You were never meant to climb to God through commandments.
You were meant to fall at His feet in trust—and rise in His resurrection life.

The Law was given through Moses.
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Now, they are offered to you.

Will you come?