Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, explain Your Holy Word to us. Amen.
Text: Matthew 5:20-26
“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you are thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.”
Devotion
The righteousness of the Pharisees was an external righteousness. The better ones among them fulfilled the command of the Law, “as far as they were able,” and they thought then that they were righteous before God. The others called attention to themselves so that people saw them when they prayed on street corners, and they gave alms to gain earthly honor, but they robbed widows and orphans. Although the more sincere Pharisees were people who did much for God and were zealous for His approval, their righteousness amounted to nothing. For the Law of the Lord goes to the heart, so that only the person who is perfectly holy inside and outside can stand before its judgment. The Law of the Lord requires love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a genuine faith. The least unkindness, even if it were simply a passing impulse, the least trace of selfishness or anger or other evil things, is enough to destroy all your righteousness: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (Jam 2:10). Just one break destroys love’s string of pearls. The Law of the Lord is perfect, as the Lord Himself is, and life and conduct must be absolutely perfect in every detail, if the Law shall grant you righteousness that avails before God.
But who is perfectly holy? Only one Person on earth can claim this: our Lord Jesus Christ. But He lives for us, and God reckons this for righteousness to everyone who believes in Him. For God’s Son did not have to keep the Law and suffer the punishment of transgression for Himself, yet He did it for us. When you believe, it is yours. This was decided by God from eternity and revealed on earth before the Law of Moses. The holy demand of the Law is satisfied, the works are done, nothing is left. Righteousness that is greater than that of the Pharisees is accomplished and given to you. If you believe this grace of God in Christ, then everything is in order and “you shall not come into judgment, but have passed from death into life” (Joh 5:24).
So then Christ is my righteousness, – shall I then in my life and conduct throw God’s Law away? On the contrary! In this way the Law is once again written in your heart. Those who understand the final demand of the Law feel their unrighteousness, believe in Christ, and die to the Law, now find it possible to do what they never could when they were under the Law and thought they were righteous: they keep the Law, love God and their neighbor, and live a holy life. But this life, kindled in them, is still imperfect, because of the flesh. They are not able to stand before God, but they don’t have to, because by faith they are already children of God and heirs of heaven. Meanwhile they are sanctified thus to perfect purity on the day of Christ.
Closing Prayer
“Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress; Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head” (ELH 432:1). Grant us this grace by Your Holy Spirit, merciful God. Let this doctrine be life and truth in us. Amen.
Hymn
In Christ we’re free forever
From threat’ning of the Law;
To us He will deliver
New hearts with wond’ring awe;
His Spirit there’s effecting
Love’s true and holy brand,
And all our walk directing
To heaven’s joyous land.
His grace I will be praising,
Sincerely till I die,
In deeds I shall be tracing
What God has done for me;
And I will serve Him ever,
For all the righteousness
To me He does deliver,
And glorious Bridal dress.
Petersen: Hvor lystelig og yndig L 517:8-9 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Jeg raaber fast, O Herre (LHy 218); alternate hymn: Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness ELH 432