Better than the Pharisees???

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

Matthew 5:20 (ESV)

Have you ever felt inferior? Like you couldn’t quite reach the bar? Mom and Dad constantly comparing you to big sister—her grades, her volleyball skills, or her involvement in the church youth group? Ugh!

Allow your mind to take you back to A.D. 32, to a hillside on the beautiful southern slopes of the Korazim Plateau overlooking the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha in northern Israel. Rabbi Jesus is probably sitting on a large rock about halfway down the hill, His students and the crowd above Him in a topographical amphitheater, teaching about the Kingdom. This hillside classroom was more than likely in session for a few days. 

Off in the distance, a group of Pharisees lurks around, trying to hear what He’s saying. Why? To try and ensnare Him in the net of some supposed blasphemy. Years ago, a team of Swedish audiologists surmised that upwards of 5,000 people could easily have heard Jesus preach the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5, 6, and 7) in that location. The acoustics are said to be like nowhere else on the planet.

The message begins with what a disciple of His ought to “look” and “sound” and “act” like (Matthew 5:1-16). Then He launches into a few words about the law and, out of nowhere, makes one of the boldest statements of His ministry. I imagine Him pointing at the pack of Pharisees standing there and announcing to His crowd of seekers and followers, “Unless you can be more righteous than those guys over there, you can hang it up. You’ll never get in the Kingdom.”

Jesus’ audience on that hillside must have immediately wondered, “What? How in the world could I be more righteous than them? No way. That’s an impossible standard. They’re the holy ones.”

In the Gospels, we often assume widespread disdain for the Pharisees, and it simply may not be there. At least not in the eyes of the people. Jesus saw straight into their hearts. He is God, right? However, the masses saw them as extremely precise interpreters of God’s Word and standard bearers in remarkable obedience to the law. The Pharisees called people to meticulously adhere to their rules regarding diet, giving, and the ceremonial law (purity). Yet, Jesus calls the Pharisees out for majoring in the minors (Matthew 23:23):

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”

You gotta understand that regular folks in first-century Israel did not necessarily hold the same low view of the Pharisees as we do. Albeit probably misguided, they likely had a high view of their external piety, holiness, and rule-keeping. That said, it’s no wonder they could never imagine a paradigm when their righteousness could ever exceed that of the Pharisees.

And I believe this was Jesus’ point all along. When I was in the corporate world, I had a mentor who told me, “People don't argue with conclusions they come to on their own.” He said, “Don’t cram it down their throats; lead them.” Jesus was the greatest leader ever. He led the crowds there to conclude they could never be “better” than the Pharisees, could never do enough good, never keep enough rules, never check enough boxes, never be #righteous-er. And yet Jesus says, “If you want to enter the Kingdom, your righteous meter must register higher than theirs.”

And you ask, “How, Jesus? How can I do it?” He answers, “You can’t, but I can.” He says, “Here, let me wrap you in the robe of My righteousness.” We call this "imputed righteousness." When you repent, believe, and accept the forgiveness His sacrificial death provides, you are “justified” and “imputed” with His righteousness.

Have no doubt that when you and I accept the gift of salvation, the Father doesn’t see us as we were. He sees the righteousness of His Son in us. And have no doubt; His righteousness faaaaaarrrrrr exceeds that of the Pharisees.

Oh, Father, how I wish I could have been on the slope of that hill looking over the Sea of Galilee, listening and being taught by the Master. What an incredible time that would have been. But, praise You. . . that day’s coming. And it’s coming like a vapor. Thank You, Lord, that I’m not left on my own to try to clean myself up and “get righteous.” Thank You that when You put Your robe on me, I’m clean in You. I get to appeal to Your righteousness. In Your holy name, Amen.