I am a Jesus Pusher! “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). Jesus begins this verse with the Greek word “me,” translated “not.” Being the first word of the Greek text highlights this as the emphasis of the passage. However, as we progress in the passage, the word “not” appears again but does not translate the same Greek word. The other Greek word is “ouk.”
The Greek lexicon makes a vital distinction between the emphases of these two words. They are each negative particles. In Greek grammar, particles are words generally providing fine shades of modification to verbs and other words in the sentence, focusing on the verbs. There are some critical distinctions between these two negatives, “me” and “ouk.” “Me” implies a dependent and conditional negative; thus, it is subjective. “Ouk” is, in a sense, objective expressing a direct and total negation independently. “Me” is the negative of will, wish, or doubt, while “ouk” denies the fact. “Me” implies the one speaking and writing conceives or supposes a thing not in existence but as the individual’s opinion. “Ouk” says that it does not exist, the nonexistent reality. Jesus did not come to destroy the Scriptures but to fulfill them. Any undermining of the Scriptures, any addition to the Scriptures, and any adjustment of the truth for self-benefit violates who Jesus is. If I embrace Him, I must embrace the Scriptures. I am a Jesus Pusher!