Except Your Righteousness Exceed Matthew 5:20

Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized” and “tempted” by the “devil”, and he shared how “angels” ministered to Him afterward. Jesus heard that John the Baptist was thrown into prison, and He left His hometown to dwell in “Capernaum” where He began His ministry. Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His followers. As Jesus' fame spread throughout Galilee, many others were gathered unto Him. Matthew continued by sharing how Jesus taught concerning the “beatitudes” of the “Kingdom of Heaven”, and He said, “You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is therefore good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven”, and in chapter five and verse twenty of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus said, “except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” where we read:

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The verse reads, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ...” Matthew began with the words, “for I say” which means “even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then and therefore Jesus utter, declare and proclaim” “unto you” which means “to the disciples”, “that except” or “because and since in case” “your righteousness” which means “the disciples' doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God” “shall exceed” which refers to “will be at hand in abundance and overflowing” “the righteousness” which means “the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God” “of the scribes” or “men who were learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings as an interpreter and teacher” “and Pharisees” which refers to “the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to OT books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fasting, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works”. Jesus told His disciples that their “right deeds and acts” must be greater than one of the most religious groups of their day - the “Pharisees”.

The verse goes on to say, “... you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew continued with the words, “you shall in no case” which means “the disciples will in never and in no way” “enter into“ or “go, come in or make entrance in” “the kingdom” which means “within the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule” “of heaven” or “pertaining to the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Jesus said there would be no “entrance” into Heaven's Kingdom unless the righteous ways of the Pharisees were exceeded.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we should understand the “Pharisees” to be very religious and “most holy” among the people. They gave the persona they were “perfect” and without breaking God's law in any manner. The disciples must have wondered, “if the Pharisees are not righteous enough, who can be saved?” However, Jesus knew the Pharisees' “spirit”, and though outwardly they kept the “law of God”, inwardly they violated God's law continually. We shall see why there is a need to “exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” in Jesus' next words, but suffice it to say that God knows the need to supersede them which brings cause for Jesus Christ to be the “Savior and Lord” of every person's life.

Next time Jesus declares, “you have heard that is was said by them of old time, you shall not kill”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.