I am a Jesus Pusher! “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” (Matthew 5:20). This statement must have shocked those who heard it. In a previous verse, we saw the righteousness of the immature, little one, who is in oneness with Jesus, shall exceed (perisseuo) the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus was contrasting the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees with individuals helpless and sourced by the Spirit. The scribes are professionals, and the Pharisees form a sect. The scribes were the acknowledged expounders and teachers of the Old Testament. The Pharisees were those who attempted to make everybody think they were adhering to the Old Testament.
We discover the strength of this statement in the use of shall exceed. The actual statement in the Greek text is revealing: “I say (ego) For (gar) unto you (humin) that (hoti) except (ean me) shall exceed (perisseuo) your (humon) the (he) righteousness (dikaiosune) much more (pleion) of the (ton) scribes and Pharisees.” “Perisseuo” and “pleion” emphasize the same focus. In the English translation, “pleion” is not translated. “Perisseuo” means “to overflow like a river out of its banks;” “pleion” means “more in number, quantity, or quality.” Jesus said that His presence fills our lives, reveals the Scriptures, and produces righteousness within us on a level that cannot compare to the legalistic, self-sourced righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. I will embrace Jesus through the Scriptures. I am a Jesus Pusher!