In Matthew 5:20, Jesus declares that kingdom people will exhibit a righteousness that surpasses the professional law keepers of his day; the Pharisees and teachers of the law. We heard in last week’s sermon that this happens because Christians pursue their righteousness from the inside out, not the outside in, as the Pharisees did. This analogy is similar to an illustration given at our houseparty by the archbishop.
Glenn asked us to picture him getting their broken driveway re-concreted. Once the concrete is laid, he places a sign next to it saying ‘wet concrete’, so that people will walk around. When the boy next door sees that sign, he decides to carve his initials into the wet concrete. This is how the average non-Christian views God’s ways; as something to flout. When a moral person sees the sign, they are annoyed at having to walk around, but will do so because it’s the right thing to do. This is how the Pharisees saw God’s laws; as something they were burdened with following, in order to please God. Yet when Glenn’s wife sees the sign, she is overjoyed that the broken driveway has finally been fixed, and loves the sign, as it warns people not to destroy the work. Her relationship with the law giver means she will gladly stay off the concrete.
Christians are those who have a close relationship with the law giver. As such, when we read the Sermon on the Mount, we are overjoyed at the wonderful laws laid down in it. They are not a burden for us to follow; they are a joy. And when something is a joy to do, it just comes naturally. This is why a Christian’s righteousness will surpass a Pharisee’s. Following God’s ways is not a burden for them; it is something they delight in.
Brendan McLaughlin
