by Dr. Judy Stack
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For 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. Therefore, 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. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:17–19
How are you at following the rules precisely? Even sources outside the New Testament talk about how the folks called Pharisees were extremely scrupulous in following the commandments. But Jesus says that what a person needs to enter God’s kingdom is a greater kind of righteousness than that. So, not more of the same kind (i.e., better commandment following) but a kind that surpasses it.
We can see what that looks like by looking at what Jesus critiques the Pharisees for: in Mt 23 Jesus says that while they are great at keeping commandments they have “neglected the weightier things of the law: justice and mercy and faith.” Obedience to commands is not bad, but only by living those greater principles will we move closer to God’s gracious and abundant reign.
Showy Beardtongue – Penstemon cobaea
These photographs, shared each day during Lent, capture the beauty of plants native to the Upper Midwest. As we spend time in Lenten reflection, these images of new life can remind us daily of our calling to be caretakers of God’s Creation.
Photo by Jo Anna Hebberger
