Exceed

Read Matthew 5:13-42.

What does it mean to exceed?

Normally, we equate it with "excel." You "exceeded" the expectation of the class assignment, the job, the plans. I think when we got our first glimpse of our newly redone worship center here at Mount Pleasant, most folks felt our contractor exceeded the expectations and plans we had in mind. To exceed is a good thing, right?

So when we hear, "Sir, did you realize you are exceeding the speed limit?" — should we respond, "Well, thank you so much. I always try to exceed"? Okay, maybe not.

Most of the time, though, exceeding is a good thing. But that doesn't make it easy. To "exceed" usually means we have to work harder, smarter, faster—if we're going to exceed at anything, we have to be better than we've ever been before. We have to, to use a popular phrase, "go the extra mile."

Jesus tells those who have gathered on a hillside by the Sea of Galilee, "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). What did he just say? The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were the holiest folks that people in that time and in that place could think of. Think the Pope plus Billy Graham. Or think of your favorite religious person, the one who helped shape your faith the most, the one whom you can't imagine doing anything against what Jesus says to do. That's sort of the way most people thought of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. They were holy!

And then Jesus says in order to "make it" in his kingdom, our righteousness has to be better than that. It must exceed the holiness these folks demonstrate.

What in the world? How could Jesus demand such a thing? How could he even say it?

Unless he didn't mean what we think he meant. As you read the Gospels, you'll discover Jesus has quite a few things to say to and about these first-century religious leaders—and not, generally, positive things. He accuses them at one point of being "whitewashed tombs," clean on the outside but on the inside, full of death and decay (Matthew 23:27). He says it even more pointedly just above that, when he advises those listening to him to follow the teachings of these folks but don't do what they do because their actions don't match their words (Matthew 23:1-7).

By "exceed," Jesus really means this: your actions need to match your words. Don't just talk the talk. Walk the walk. Live the faith. Do what you say you believe. Then you will exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law...and you will be admitted to the kingdom of heaven.

But that's not all...it's about to get even more interesting in tomorrow's reading!

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