What Is Jesus Really Saying?

I am reminded this morning what Jesus said: 

²⁰For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

This was said to the crowds who where following Jesus.  It is recorded in Matthew 5 where Jesus was explaining many important issues of the time.  

He was making clear, to those listening, that they should not put him in their well ordered mental boxes, with a limited definition of his mission.  

It occurred to me as I read that line for the millionth time:

“It wouldn’t take much for us to "exceed" the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.  After all, they weren’t very righteous actually.”

I am wondering if those in the crowd caught Jesus’ subtle meaning?

So often people assume that they are not “good enough,” or suitable enough, for God.

The assumption is that it takes a very good — virtuous — person to be acceptable to God.

When you begin to think like that, I suggest that you read where Jesus spent most of his relaxing time.  

It certainly was not with the scribes and Pharisees.

No, it was with the less desirable people of society.  Those who were seen as undesirable by the social norm. The peons, so to speak, understood as ordinary labors who were commonly used as slaves. (See Mark 11:19)

Like the tax collector who prayed: 

 ¹³But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”(Lk. 18)

There is a theme that runs through Jesus’ teachings and actions — humility.

Jesus never fails to allow us our human frailties.  No judgments, just unlimited mercy, love and forgiveness.

Jesus never fails to accept us just the way we are — flawed and all.

17 ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the 

prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.(Mt. 5)