I am excited with this word I have to share as it is my first blog on our new website!
Reflecting time and time again upon Matthew 5:17-21 has proved quite challenging for me over the last decade. What is it actually saying, and what is it asking of us?
First, it is calling attention to Jesus. By this point in the gospel account Jesus has been busy for some time, long enough to draw the negative feedback of the scribes and Pharisees. He does not speak and act as they do, particularly as it pertains to the word of God in the OT (the law and prophets). Thus, their conclusion is that he is tearing down the OT by his words and deeds.
Jesus’ response is simple. He came to fulfill the law and the prophets, not to abolish them (verse 17). Which implies that whatever interpretation and application these religious leaders had of the OT it sorely missed the mark. In fact, Jesus kicks it up a notch for them when he says what he does in verses 18-19, that the slightest matter of the law shall not be left unaccomplished and also that whoever overlooks the slightest of matters in the law will be seen and treated in a similar manner. Surely this message is for all of us.
Second, and furthermore, Jesus, who utterly values and perfectly fulfills the entirety of God’s word, says to us all in verse 20 that the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees just won’t cut it with God. It is altogether unacceptable. Thus, if we want to enter and see the kingdom of God we will have to do much better than that! We need a righteousness that exceeds what even the so-called best of our world can produce.
How shall we attain to this surpassing righteousness? Again, the answer is simple. We won’t … of ourselves. We find it only in Jesus. Jesus is God’s righteousness revealed from heaven (Romans 10:1-4). It is the only righteousness that God accepts because it is all about the character and glory and desires of God. Jesus is his son; like father like son. We are being asked, therefore, to abandon whatever notions we have of righteousness and follow after Jesus (Matthew 4:17). We must attached ourselves to him, and him alone, becoming his “apprentices,” that we might over time (Ephesians 2:8-10) become more and more like Jesus (1 John 3:3).
The bottom line is that Jesus himself is that surpassing righteousness. This is never about a list of rules and religious practices, do’s and don’ts, etc., but a living person and a real relationship with him by the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, looking back to verses 18-19, when you come to know and trust and love a person, even the smallest things matter.
If we want to enter and see the wondrous and awesome kingdom of God, then we must have Jesus. He will be that surpassing righteousness in and through us.