It was the best way they could express their covenant relationship with the God who rescued their ancestors and who continued to guard and protect them. Because of their dedication to the Law, the Pharisees came to be seen as its authoritative interpreters, and many of the people looked up to them as truly righteous men.
Todays Gospel reading seems somewhat out of step with this view, doesnt it? Jesus is telling us that our righteousness needs to surpass even these men who had devoted their whole lives to understanding and fulfilling the law. How is that possible?
First, its important to see that Jesus wasnt saying that the Pharisees approach was bad. Rather, it wasnt enough. It is right to try our hardest to uphold Gods laws and to encourage others to do the same. But there is another side to this equation, which many of the Pharisees seemed to have put aside: Righteousness has to do with love and mercy as well as diligent obedience.
Rather than focus on a definition of righteousness that is based solely on whether we have fulfilled our obligations, Jesus is asking us to display the same righteousness he displayeda righteousness that shows itself in love, compassion, and faithfulness. This was supposed to be at the heart of the Law, but some of the Pharisees, trying to preserve Judaism against foreign threats, dug their heels in and focused more on the externals of the Lawon the things that set them apart as Jews.
What about us? It can be very tempting to settle for a Christianity defined by rules and regulations. But thats not what Jesus came to give usand its certainly not why he offered his life for us on the cross. He came to give us a righteousness that flows from a relationship with him, a righteousness based on love and humility. And he wants us to treat each other accordingly. He wants us to embrace each other, not judge. He wants us to serve one another, not focus on each others faults. If we can do that, then we have definitely surpassed the scribes and Pharisees!
Father, teach me the righteousness of Christ and lead me in it today.
Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130:1-8