Some religious groups use Matthew 5:18 to teach that the law of Moses is still in effect today, including the need to keep the Sabbath. They teach that the Sabbath will endure as long as heaven and earth exist. However, by using this passage to teach that Sabbath is in effect today, it inevitably leads to believing the whole law of Moses is in effect as well, including animal sacrifices. Jesus did not say the ten commandments would endure forever, rather we see the context in verse 17 regarding "the law and the prophets" which includes ceremonial law. One can't pick and choose what is and isn't abolished.

In truth, not one jot or title of the law of Moses failed. Jesus Christ fulfilled it entirely and then He nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14-17). We must recognize that Jesus did not come to establish the law but to fulfill the law and the prophets. The prophets spoke words regarding the Messiah that would be realized in Jesus Christ (as in Matthew 13:34-35). According to Hebrews 7:12, Jesus changed the priesthood, therefore, a change of the law was required. Hebrews 10:8-14 reveals that through Jesus Christ the Old Covenant (the first) was taken away and the New Covenant (the second) established. It also shows His sacrifice to be the acceptable sacrifice once for all.

There are some who argue that "fulfill" does not mean "end." They will use verses such as Matthew 3:15 to try and trick word manipulate by saying that righteousness did not end when Jesus was baptized even though it says Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. But applying this understanding to Matthew 5:18 is overlooking the context. Jesus did not say in Matthew 3:15 that all righteousness will not pass away until all be fulfilled, but He did say that about the law.

The law was perfectly kept by Jesus (the 10 commandments obeyed and the ceremonial laws fully satisfied). Jesus fulfilled the moral law as a teacher and a doer. He fulfilled the ceremonial laws in His sacrificial death. He came to finish the Old Covenant and establish the New Covenant. All things under the Old Covenant were only a shadow of the reality in Jesus Christ according to Hebrews 10:1. The tabernacle and temple were just copies of the true (Hebrews 9:24). The law had an expiration date, it was in effect until the time of reformation (Hebrews 9:10). Jesus' resurrection from the dead was the time of reformation.

Paul made it extremely clear that born again believers are no longer under the law (Galatians 3:23-25). We are now under the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2), the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2).

The law's purpose was for it to be fulfilled. If the law is still binding on us today, then it has not accomplished its purpose yet. When then will the law be fulfilled? We know through Scripture that Jesus fulfilled the law in its entirety and now offers us His righteousness as a free gift we can receive in faith when we obey the gospel (Galatians 2:16).