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“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5:20 NIV84) [see these verses in their context below]
What is it that compels you?
Every one of us is compelled to live up to certain standards for our lives. Some people strive to their last breath to maintain or attain whatever expectations they have. Others give up on striving long before their final breath.
Many expectations are the result of the internal voice of a parent or loved one whose longed for acceptance drives us. Other people are compelled by various external demands or expectations like social norms, peer groups, or some institution.
The problem with most expectations—whether internal or external in origin—is their unreachable-ness. Many, if not most, expectations or supposed standards are unrealistic, unreasonable, or impossible. Perhaps all three.
American culture is particularly glutted with these unrealistic and unreasonable expectations, especially in the increasingly relativistic and intolerant cultural storm swirling around us. Here’s a shortlist—
You can be anything you want to be or do whatever you think you can do
Everyone should be… (fill in the blank)
Your only limitation is yourself
All… (fill in the blank) are… (fill in the blank)
Idealistic and ideological generalizations rage and reign over more rational and realistic thought. Sadly, the Christian church—especially in America—either embraces or rejects much of these unrealistic and unreasonable expectations but in a reactionary sense.
Looking through the lens of the 21st century, it’s hard to relate to what seems a more simplistic culture in the time of Jesus and His disciples. And yet, a similar cultural confusion existed then among the religious elite and the general population who heard Jesus teach.
Insights
As mentioned before, the Mosaic Law was the basis for the Covenant relationship for God’s people. But the Law required obedience and its demands seemed impossible. In truth, they are impossible without God’s grace.
Jesus declares He has come to fulfill the Law not destroy it. This is why He begins to redefine it. He makes it clear the Law is good and none of it— ”smallest letter…least stroke (tittle/jot)—will be removed until it is all fulfilled.
Jesus doubles down on the importance of the Law with His warning against breaking any of it and commendation for those keeping it—
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:19)
But Jesus goes on to say something astounding—
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:20)
This statement runs counter to the prevailing wisdom of His day. It still does.
Redefining and Fulfilling God’s Law
What did Jesus mean by, “unless your righteousness surpasses (exceeds) that of the Pharisees…?” This alone seems impossible, even ridiculous. It did to the disciples too.
Why? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were like professional law-keepers. The Pharisees were rich and privileged, which everyone saw as God’s seal of approval (Mark 10:17-27).
Here Jesus begins to redefine what it means to keep the Law—to be righteous in God’s sight or have a right standing with God.
Jesus points us back to what He declares in the Beatitudes. Those who are poor, who mourn, are humble and meek, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers—these are the citizens of God’s Kingdom.
Those who think they are more righteous and spiritual are not who please God. In fact, the opposite is true.
Jesus begins to explain the truth about righteousness that is most often misunderstood—then and now.
Righteousness—true godly or God-ordained righteousness—is relational.
The most important relationship, of course, is the relationship between each of us and God. And Jesus is the focus of this relationship as indicated in Matt 5:10-12 and made more clear to His followers later (John 14:6-11).
The righteousness of the Pharisees and teachers was based on their own interpretations of the Law and what they saw to be right. Jesus confronts this view over and over throughout the Gospel narrative.
The Pharisees and teachers were convinced of their own righteousness. But it was a delusion. It was a conceited and self-deceiving view of what pleased God (see Matthew Chap 23).
Sadly, many Christian believers are stuck on a similar treadmill of performance-based or good-works-based Christianity. Trying to be good enough to please God is a futile effort. None of us will be able to reach or fulfill that standard or expectation.
Jesus goes on from this point to explain how our relationship with the Lord is directly connected to how we interact and treat others. This is the focus of the rest of Matthew Chapter 5 and beyond.
What is your view of what righteousness is?
How has it changed or become more clear?
Do you have a personal and grace-based relationship with the Lord now?
Reflection—
True righteousness—is relational. It’s based on our relationship with the Lord through faith and by His grace. It isn’t about being good by our own efforts to meet some spiritual standards. The only expectation is for us to follow the Lord as He does a transforming work in us.
Prayer Focus—
When you find yourself striving in any way, stop, and seek the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to fill you with His peace and the assurance of His love as you trust in Him, cease from your striving, and rest in His grace.
Devo Scripture Text
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 5:17-20 NIV84)