This might be called “Part 2” of the Sermon on the Mount. After defining the characteristics and behaviors that lead us to perfect unity in the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God, used interchangeably), Jesus turns to why he has come before them at this moment in time. He begins by saying why he has not come:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Mt 5:17).
Although this looks like a commandment, the verb “think” is subjunctive, meaning that we have a choice to make – whether or not Jesus has come to abolish the authority and principles of the Old Testament.
Certainly now, two thousand years later, some claim a higher moral authority of the New Testament over the Old, but Jesus makes it clear that the entire Bible is what leads to the kingdom of God:
“For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Mt 5:18).
The opening phrase of this verse must be grasped as the most priceless words we can ever hear or read. Jesus will use this phrase in a great deal of his teaching, so here in the Sermon on the Mount, he introduces it for the first time:
“For truly I say to you…” means “Listen! What behavior I attach this phrase to is the supreme authority of all existence!”
One day, when this study is complete, we will gather all these sayings into a single, passionate glory- defining perfect unity, with how we might behave to attract the world to repentance, the never-ending love of God, and restoration.
“Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called last in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19).
This is not about who get in to the kingdom versus who does not. But it does suggest a relatively higher honor before God. So another key aspect of perfect unity with God is teaching the entire Bible, not just parts of it.
Thus the Ten Commandments stand as strong today as ever, and those who tear them down from our public buildings and schools do so at their peril.
Jesus concludes this short introductory teaching with a stunner:
“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:20).
What? How can I practice more perfect righteousness than the scribes and Pharisees? Am I doomed?
Not at all. Jesus would not open this statement with “For I tell you…” if he did not have the answer that he has come to teach. We must journey all the way to the end of the New Testament before we can see the whole picture of the never-ending love of God and restoration into the kingdom of God.
For now, Jesus is introducing a critical difference between the scribes and Pharisees and us: while their righteousness is outward, symbolic, political, formal, and judgmental, ours is to be inward, passionate, honest to a fault, and deeply spiritual.
It is the person, not the political system, from which the light shining on the hill can attract and save those lost in the darkness.
Now here is where the Cycle comes in. We have good days in this regard, and frankly, many more bad days. We keep needing to go back to the beginning and start over - with the Lord's grace. But in the end, when we stand before God, whose righteousness will God see?
Hint: not yours or mine!