Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees….
Posted by Nate Bush on Jan 28, 2010
Matthew 5:19-20. “Put me in coach!” I never had the courage to say it aloud. It was not a lack of confidence in my abilities. I believed I could perform. I was a “4” man. The small forward. I had crazy “ups” (that’s what we used to call jumping ability). I sat on the bench saying the words in my mind over and over again. “Put me in coach!” I was not afraid I would not do well; I was afraid that I would not be validated. I was afraid that the coach wouldn’t believe in me. I was afraid of his reaction if I said it aloud. That has always been my temptation. I am a fairly confident guy though I am desperate for others to think so. I know I am competent, but if someone doubts that, it has the potential to crush me.
So I would try harder. Every night I would do calf raises beside my bed. I wouldn’t stop until I fell into my bed in pain. I was determined to have ups that the coach would recognize. I am not sure the coach ever recognized my ups, but the cheerleaders did. I was entered into a fundraiser called “King Legs.” It was great ego boost. I won “King Legs” my senior year of High School. I wore shorts every day after that.
I feel like this with God sometimes. I work hard and look for blessings. It would crush me if I sensed God was not pleased with me. Whenever I sit and listen to a sermon, I say in my mind, “Put me in coach.” Whenever I overhear someone who has a question about faith, I say, “Put me in coach.” I want to be used by God. I want my coach to put me in. Maybe you feel that way about your profession. Maybe you feel that way about whatever your heart longs for. I think, “God, if you are happy with me, bless me with opportunity to do good.”
The key to Matthew 5:19:20 is simple: “It’s not about you, it is always and only about Jesus.” I am no different from the Pharisees when I seek recognition for what I have done, above what Jesus has done. When Jesus says, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven,” He is not saying no one will be able to got to Heaven. He is saying no one is good enough.
If I try to work hard in order to be blessed, what I am trying to do is to earn salvation. I am trying make God indebted to me. I want to be so good that God feels obligated to do good for me. This is a heart issue. Romans 10:3 says that the Pharisees, “being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” I am in debt to God. I will always be in debt to God. God will never owe me anything. This is the beauty of Grace. God loves and blesses me anyway. It is at his discretion and not mine. Anything that I receive is a gift undeserved.
It is kind of punkish of me to want more than the cross. All of my debt due to sin has been cleared. I am righteous before God because of what Jesus has done. How can I expect more than what Jesus has already done for me (Philippians 3:9). It is only when I am not satisfied in Jesus that I seek to find satisfaction in the world (or His blessings).
We should NOT obey to be accepted or to be loved by God; we SHOULD obey because we have been accepted and loved by God. The Pharisees behaved for the approval and love of God and man. I most often behave for the same reasons. Jesus is pushing us to consider our hearts. When you obey because you have been forgiven and not so that you will be forgiven, you will discover the essence of the Kingdom of God. You will discover a peace, joy, hope, and motivation that exceeds earthly comprehension. A deep sense of purpose and freedom. This is the law of the gospel (Romans 8:2).
Father, help me to live for you. Thank you for what you have done. Thank you for loving and accepting me in Jesus. Thank you for eternity with you. I live because you live in me (Galatians 2:20). It is not about me. It is all about you Jesus. Put me in the game if you want to. I am privileged to play for you, Coach.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:45 am
nate
well defined, expained, and very clear.
nice job
steve
February 4th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Thank You Steve. I appreciate it.