17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus did not usher in a new covenant (testament) that negated the law, He fulfilled it in being completely obedient from the deeds and intent of it all. He told us it is summed up by loving God with all we have and are, and subsequently loving others as ourselves. Then He remakes us, putting this law in our hearts, for we need spiritual strength to live this way as we become more like Him as we live and breathe in Him. The religious leaders missed this, and so we are told to do better, trusting His ability and enabling, choosing to trust, follow, and obey out of love in Jesus' righteousness.
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