Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Those listening to Jesus as He said this were doubtless flabbergasted to hear it. After all, the scribes and Pharisees were the most meticulous about observing all the minutiae of the Levitical law, and Jesus had just said that the Law could not be abolished. This, however, is where we need to distinguish between God’s Law and how man has embroidered and twisted it. “Do no work on the Sabbath” is not the same as “Don’t walk more than X-number of steps on the Sabbath.” Jesus Himself said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) He also quoted Isaiah to the Pharisees, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” (Matthew 15:8-9) Paul even summed it up as, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14) God’s laws are for our good, but human regulations are a decidedly mixed bag. Some are certainly reasonable and for the general benefit, but far too many are all about control. As has been said, “Rules for thee but not for me.” What Jesus was saying here was that human legalism just doesn’t cut it. As Paul realized, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) It is only by faith in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross that our righteousness can exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees.

I have always tended to be more libertarian than legalistic, and that carries its own dangers. God’s laws aren’t in the Bible for decoration! As a pastor, I have to pay careful attention to verse 19: “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” I’ve recently ordered Charlie Kirk’s book on the Sabbath, and I look forward to reading it. Sabbath regulations in particular are awkward for religious professionals, because as Jesus noted, “The priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent.” (Matthew 12:5) I need to have a heart that is humble before the Lord and listen to Him, and teach others to do likewise. I don’t have the wisdom to sort it all out, but God does, so I need to just listen obediently to Him.

Father thank You for this reminder. Help me train disciples by Your Spirit, and not legalistically. May we all delight in You, so that You may delight in us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!