"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Matthew 5:17
The Law is all about Christ.
First, the Law was so holy that the people were not even to get too near Mount Sinai when the Law was being delivered to Moses by God. Jesus is holy as God is holy, but He came near to us!
The bulk of God’s law is about worship. The first four of Ten Commandments are about worship. The largest portion of the rest of the Law is about: (1) The tabernacle (the place of worship), (2) the priests (those who lead in worship), and (3) the sacrifices (the way in which they were to worship).
Every detail of the tabernacle is a picture of Christ.
The first thing one sees upon entering the temple courtyard is the altar for sacrifices, reminding us of our sin and the need for a sacrifice. Next, a large wash basin in which those who come to God must be ceremonially cleansed, reminding us of baptism. Then into the Holy Place where there was a table of showbread, reminding us that Jesus is the Bread of life (John 6:35). Also in the Holy Place was the golden lampstand, reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12). Lastly in the Holy Place, the altar of incense, reminding us that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
A veil separated even the priests from the Holy of Holies. The veil was a reminder that sinners cannot draw too near to the Presence of God. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was miraculously torn from top to bottom as a sign from God that once our sins are forgiven, the separation is removed (Matthew 27:51). Hebrews 10:20 says the veil that was torn was a symbol of Christ’s body being torn for our forgiveness.
In the Holy of Holies was a box called the Ark of the Covenant. The details of the Ark point to Christ: It was common wood overlaid with gold—a symbol of His humanity (wood) and His deity (gold) becoming one Person. Inside the box (Hebrews 9:4) were the Ten commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded, and a jar of manna. These three things symbolized man’s rejection of God—the Ten commandments: man’s rejection of God’s law; Aaron’s rod that budded: man’s rejection of God’s leadership; A jar of manna: man’s rejection of God’s gracious provision.
There was a solid gold lid on the box with two angels who stood guard to keep sinful man from the holiness of God (Genesis 3:24). Their wings stretched over as if to cover God’s eyes from seeing man’s sin—but it doesn’t work. But the solid gold lid that covers the box and the contents of the box is a picture of Christ who covers our sins so that God does not see them—perfect forgiveness.
Jesus did not do away with the Law. Rather, He fulfilled it. How did Jesus fulfill the Law? He kept it for His people who have failed to keep it. The reward of righteousness that He earned by perfect obedience is credited to the spiritual accounts of those who are “in Christ.”
Jesus received all the wrath of God that His people deserve for having violated God’s holy Law. The wrath of God was infinitely greater than the wrath of Roman crucifixion.
Jesus received the penalty for breaking the Law (even though He never broke it), thus taking the punishment His people deserve—so that when we (who are in Christ) stand before God, we will not be judged because Christ was already judged in our place.