The “righteousness” of the religious leaders won’t get it. Matthew 5.20
Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount: Righteousness (6)
Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
Sing joyfully Psalm 115.1-3.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, Lord, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Read Matthew 5.1-20; meditate on verse 20.
Prepare.
1. What is necessary to enter the Kingdom of heaven?
2. Did Jesus think the scribes and Pharisees had what it takes to enter the Kingdom of heaven?
Meditate.
Everyone knew the scribes and Pharisees were among the most “righteous” people of their day. This was partly because the scribes and Pharisees made a point of showing-off their “righteousness.” They wore the cool “righteous” clothes, with the little tassels. They sat in the seats reserved for the “righteous” in the synagogues. They prayed “righteous” prayers, loud and long, in the marketplace. They trumpeted their “righteous” giving with a loud show. They told everybody else how to obey the Law if they wanted to be “righteous” like they were.
Jesus had no use for such “righteousness” – except to point out that the “righteousness” of the scribes and Pharisees was not the righteousness that must characterize those who would shine like lights and serve as salt in the Kingdom of God. Jesus said we need a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees to enter the Kingdom.
That must have set the crowd buzzing: “How can anyone be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees?”
Jesus will elaborate on what He meant by a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees (vv. 21-30). But before He explained what Kingdom righteousness is, He wanted to make sure the people knew what Kingdom righteousness is not. It is not what they saw in the scribes and Pharisees. The religious leaders were outwardly righteous – as everyone could see. But the righteousness of the Kingdom is an inward righteousness first, or it is not true righteousness at all.
Since He had already declared that the Kingdom was near, and that many would be blessed and brought into that Kingdom, there must be a way to realize the kind of righteousness Jesus has been talking about in this part of the sermon on the mount. There is, and He will explain it to us as He continues His teaching.
Reflect.
1. What was the problem with the “righteousness” of the scribes and Pharisees?
2. The righteousness required for life in the Kingdom exceeds mere outward righteousness. How can that be?
3. Paul wrote that the Kingdom of God is righteousness (Rom. 14.17, 18). How would you explain the righteousness of the Kingdom to an unbelieving friend?
He finds fault with the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, for they were not concerned with faith in the divine promise but with human praise and worldly glory. Chromatius (fl. ca. 400), Tractate on Matthew 20.3.1-2
Let Your righteousness come forth in me today, Lord Jesus, as I…
Pray Psalm 115.9-18.
Only God can give us the righteousness we need to serve Him each day. He does this by His Spirit, as He teaches us the Law and Word of God, and transforms us into the image of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3.12-18). Pray that the Lord will allow you to “increase more and more” in His righteousness, so that you shine your light throughout your Personal Mission Field.
Sing Psalm 115.9-18.
Psalm 115.9-18 (Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield – ever to His Name be glory! –
find in Him their help and shield – ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the Lord! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Blessings from our gracious Lord – ever to Your Name be glory –
will attend us evermore – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, Lord, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Grant us, Savior, great increase – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace – ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
T. M. Moore
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