Jesus Reveals A Deeper Righteousness

I just finished reading the words of the Lord in Matthew chapter 5. What a powerful message! I love this chapter and often find myself drawn to it when I'm reading the Bible and don't have a planned place to read. Matthew 5 is only part of what theologians call "The Sermon on the Mount," when Jesus addressed a crowd of followers from Galilee or Capernum who had congregated to listen to what this new teacher had to say.

Interestingly enough, Jesus begins his discourse (which may have actually been things he taught on many occasions, to many crowds, not just this one time) with some statements about the condition of his audience. "Blessed are the poor in spirit...blessed are the meek...blessed are the peacemakers...blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness!" Jesus was addressing a crowd of very common people - people some cultures may view as peasants, or in our society the blue collar people. They were not the heads of state, or nobility of the land. They were common Palestinian people. People who knew oppression at the hand of the Roman government. People who also knew exploitation at the hands of their own religious leaders, the Pharisees. And Jesus looks at them and says, "Blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness sake."

Blessed for being persecuted? Blessed for being spiritually destitute? What is this teaching that sounds nothing like the typical message of religion? This is Jesus. Jesus looked at people and saw their needs. He saw their heart. He saw their sins. And He loved them so much that He wanted them to be free.

In this chapter Jesus goes on to point out several of the Jewish teachings on moral issues, such as divorce and adultery, anger at others, making promises that you cannot keep, how to treat your enemies. And He makes the point that the teachings the people had followed do not go deep enough to foster true righteousness. He said it is not enough to just be sexually faithful to your spouse, you must be faithful in your heart also. It is not enough to just keep from murdering others, you must be patient and loving toward others also. It is not enough just to keep the law of God, you must love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength.

The incredible thing about Jesus is that He comes along and reveals to everyone who will listen that it is not just enough to do what people think you are supposed to do. If you want to be holy you must live it from your heart. Just think about the following statement that Jesus made, and keep in mind that the Pharisees in their day were the respected religious leaders. We know the term now to represent hypocrisy, which Jesus did reveal. But at the time people did not see it that way. They thought these guys were really doing it right. But listen to what Jesus had to say to everyone who was following the leaders: "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

How is it that today we do the same thing, thinking that we can simply follow the religious leaders of our day and time and not give attention to what is really going on in our own hearts? Do you think it is enough to just do what you are taught by someone else you respect?