THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND THE LAW

Matthew 5:20 (CSB) – “For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.”

In the following devotions, we will see six areas where Jesus says, “You have heard it said… But I say to you.” He is trying to help us understand the full impact of the Law.

What was wrong with the scribes and Pharisees’ interpretation of that day in a nutshell?

Four statements, they were:

·      Concerned with details, rather than principles.

·      Concerned with actions, rather than motives.

·      Concerned with doing, rather than being.

·      Concerned with the letter of the law, forgot the spirit of the law.

They were hypocrites, making religion outward rather than inward. Reputation to them was more important than character. What is the difference? One is what people think you are (reputation), the other (character) is what God knows you are!

I remember an episode of Leave it to Beaver where Wally is told by June not to take his brother to a certain horror movie. Eddie Haskell later suggests, she didn’t say Beaver couldn’t take you…give him the money!

As kids, we all tried to find ways to be able to say we were in compliance when we truly were not. One father said, “Stand up, son” to which the son replied, “I may be standin’ on the outside, but I’m sittin’ on the inside!”

Even as adults, we find many ways to justify and say we are in compliance, when I reality we are outside the line.

Jesus is going to move the issue from outward conformity to an inward connection.

We are going to follow six areas that Jesus wants us to see that he is trying to teach isn’t about these six things alone, but are huge principles that apply to everything of this life, not just murder and hatred, adultery and lust, divorce, swearing, lawsuits, and our enemies.

Jesus is teaching on how to interpret the Law:

·      Outward conformity is not enough, motives are equally important.

·      Outward conformity is not enough, thoughts and desires are equally important.

·      The law is not just negative, but also positive.

·      The law is not to oppress us, but to free us.

·      The law is not the end in itself but is an expression of our love for God.

A “Pharisaic” Christian is ready for bed. They Walk over to a wall on which hang the 10 commandments. They read them, check them offone1 by one, saying, I didn’t do this today, I didn’t do this today, I didn’t…… All is well between me and God.

Jesus says no, here’s your checklist as you pillow your head: “Dear Lord, have you been supreme in my life today? Have I brought glory and honor to you? Do I know you better today? Have I deepened my relationship with you? Are their wicked thoughts in me?”

The righteousness that He speaks of in verse 20 is His righteousness.  For without Him, we will find that we are all guilty of breaking God’s Law – and are condemned.

We will see this further developed in the next devotions.