"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."
Matthew 5:20
Better than the Best
Will anyone ever enter the kingdom of heaven? According to what Jesus says, no one will. His words cannot be debated. No one can attain the standard required. How could anyone be better than the best?
Although the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were perceived as likely candidates for heaven, Jesus said even their lives of countless good works were not sufficient. His lesson was not to plunge people into hopelessness or despair. It was to turn them away from their attempts to enter heaven by their own works.
It is a lesson which still applies to me. It is tempting to believe I can win God's favor by what I do. It is just as tempting to reduce God’s requirements to fit my ability to accomplish them. To both of these views Jesus says, unless you are better than the best you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
A part of me bristles with anger that God would be so demanding. Still, his demands leave me with two options. I can either reject God in my self-righteous anger, or I can rely on the solution he has provided in his Son.
Jesus came into this world to be my Savior and my Substitute. He lived the life of perfect righteousness God required. He offered God the perfect payment which released me from the guilt of sin. He even provided the means whereby I can put my full confidence in what Jesus has done.
It is because of Jesus I am not left hopeless or filled with despair. It is because of Jesus I can enter the kingdom of heaven. It is because of Jesus that God has declared I am better than the best.
Prayer:
(Christian Worship – A Lutheran Hymnal: 401)
Your works, not mine, O Christ, speak gladness to this heart.
They tell me all is done; they bid my fear depart.
To whom but you, who can alone for sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
Your righteousness, O Christ, alone can cover me;
No other righteousness can set a sinner free.
To whom but you, who can alone for sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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