Righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees- Matthew 5:20

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

These were shocking words spoken by Jesus to the people. The everyday ordinary Jew considered the scribes and Pharisees as righteous. The Pharisees also considered themselves to be righteous.

This is depicted in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14. In addition, in Philippians chapter 3, Paul writes of his confidence he had in his flesh as a Pharisee. Paul brags about being circumcised on the eighth day, and being an Israelite, of the tribe of Benjamin. He also considered himself a Hebrew of Hebrews. He was a Pharisee. He was a persecutor of the church, and he thought that was God’s will for him. In addition, he said concerning righteousness under the law, he was blameless.

And Jesus said that our righteousness needed to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. How can a person’s righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? There is only one way. You must have the righteousness of Christ imputed to you.

Paul then continues in Philippians chapter 3 speaking about his post-conversion life. After becoming an apostle, he counted all that gain as loss for the sake of Christ. He acknowledged that he did not have a righteousness of his own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ.

If you have placed your faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have the righteousness of Christ. You have the righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. With Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have everything you need to enter the kingdom of God. Praise God for His grace and His willingness to bestow the righteousness of Christ on his children.