Moment of Meditation: Surpassing Righteousness (Matthew 5:20)

[Jesus continued:] "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees,
you shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven."
(Matthew 5:20)

Surpassing Righteousness

You want to get into Heaven? Jesus says you have to be better than scribes and the Pharisees. The scribes studied the Law. They made sure that God's people were obeying His Law. The Pharisees lived self-righteous indignation. The holier-than-thou attitude. They brought that extra helping of guilt because you're not good enough for God.

They refused to practice what they taught. They loved to be out-and-about in town, showing off how righteous they were. If you want to get into Heaven on your own, you have to do better than them. In fact, you have to do it as good as Jesus. Perfectly. You cannot make one single mistake. Ever.

Too late? Thank God that He sent a Savior. A perfect Savior who gives you His robe of righteousness at Baptism (Isaiah 61:10). In Him your sins have been covered. Your name is written in the Book of Life. You are seen by God as holy and perfect. You may enter the kingdom of Heaven. Amen.