The best way for me to learn is through others, so thank you Jeremy, and all for your thoughts. Salt and Light - A few years ago a pastor friend of mine told me, " if you want to know the Bible better then think Hebrew." In other words put yourself in the time, place, and culture of the Hebrew people. I have tried to do this as best as I can. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes things explode with greater meaning or several layers of meaning. What I've learned is Jesus is very intentional about everything he says and does. Often there is an immediate meaning in what ever interaction is going on and a second meaning often symbolic referring to his greater plan in the kingdom of God. Jesus calls us to be salt and light. His followers, His nation, His representatives of his love and goodness for all to see. This call still stands, but this call was also offered repeatedly to the nation of Israel through out the old testament only to be rejected. What Israel and Jerusalem (the city on the hill) could not do Jesus did. He became the picture of God to all nations. We know God by knowing his son. The Fulfillment of the Law - Jesus ultimately completes the law in a grand act of love by dieing for our sins. As Christians we know this, but I think very few of us understand the law. I don't claim to have the answers, just a few thoughts. The law was given to show the people what salt and light looked like, what God looked like. The law was not meant to be a set of rules to simple be obeyed (to do so only breeds contempt. Think elder son in the parabel of the prodical son). They were to show love and respect to a people and a world that only knew of chaos and survival. It was a time of every family and every person for themselves. God comes in and lifts them up always promoting love, relationship, and community. Instead of an eye for a life He elevates the people to an eye for an eye. God's plans are revealed over time and each time patiently lifting us up. Jesus will again do this with the message of turning the other check revealing even more the true character of God. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law because he was the fulfillment of love.