#DailyDevotion So You Think You’re Good Enough?

Matt. 5:20-26 ²⁰I tell you, unless your righteousness is much better than that of the Bible scholars and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” ²¹“You have heard that long ago the people were told: ‘Do not murder. Whoever murders must answer for it in court.’ ²²“But I tell you, anyone who is angry with his brother will have to answer for it in court. Anyone who calls his brother an empty-head’ will have to answer for it before the highest court. Anyone who calls him a fool will have to answer for it in hellfire. ²³“So if you’re bringing your gift to the altar and remember there that your brother has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there before the altar and go. First make up with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵“If someone wants to sue you be quick to make up with him while you are still on the way with him, or your accuser will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be put into prison. ²⁶I tell you the truth, you will never get out until you pay the last cent.”

So Jesus says not one yod or dot of a yod of the Torah and the prophets will go away until all is fulfilled. He tells us anyone who teaches you less than the full blown Law will not have that share in his kingdom. Now Jesus lowers the boom on us. You thought you were doing pretty good keeping the outward form of the commandments. You seem to honor your parent. You haven’t physically taken someone’s life. You haven’t had sex with anyone but your wife. You haven’t taken something that didn’t belong to you and you haven’t lied in court. But is that all Jesus and your Father in heaven wants?

Jesus says unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and Bible Scholars you won’t get into the kingdom of heaven. That might leave some of out of that particular party. Jesus says, outward, strict keeping to the letter of the commandments will not do. So you didn’t murder anyone? Well, have you been angry with your brother? Shoot have you been angry with anyone. If you’ve driven anywhere you’ve been angry. Have you yelled at the TV at any person of any political party because you’re so angry at what they are doing? Did your wife burn dinner? Did you not complete the thing your wife needed done? Have your kids not done their chores? How did you feel? Did you get angry? Well Jesus equates that with murder. Anger is the seed of murder. Look at Cain.

Have you called someone names? Jesus gives an example of “empty-head.” But seriously, who hasn’t called most of Washington D.C. idiots? Did you call someone names when you were a kid? Yes, you’re still answerable for that. What other degrading, shaming names have you called people? You realize Jesus here is equating that with breaking the commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” While we’re at it, have you done something to cause them to be angry with you? Have you not returned the thing you borrowed? Have you caused someone damage and haven’t fixed it? Is that not stealing?

Jesus says whatever damage you have done no matter how trivial you will not get out of hell until you pay the last cent. I don’t think you earn too much money in hell. How can you payback an eternal being for transgressions against Him? You can’t. How will your righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees and the Scribes? Only if your righteousness isn’t your righteousness but God’s. God your Father will credit your faith in his son Jesus Christ as righteousness. You’ll never get there by way of the Law. Jesus must fulfill that for you and he has.

Heavenly Father, grant that we may have our righteousness fulfilled through faith in Jesus your dear Son, so we may enter into your eternal kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.