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). The Pharisees were extremely upset because the disciples picked and ate grain from the grainfields on the Sabbath day (Matthew 12:2). Thus, they broke the Sabbath rules punishable by stoning. Jesus gave them Old Testament illustrations where similar acts occurred, and God approved. His final statement to them was a quotation, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7; Hosea 6:6). The Old Testament commanded sacrifices, so this was not wrong. But there is a higher priority in the heart of God. They set aside the deep things of the heart, the more complicated, and focused on the offerings and sacrifices.
A careful examination of our lives may reveal this pattern. An individual forty pounds overweight criticizes the individual who smokes. The Christian who will not speak to his neighbor condemns the murderer. The Christian who refuses to tithe judges the thief. Who can know the depths of their own heart? Jesus calls for openness! Will He not speak to us? He calls us to the new righteousness of His indwelling nature. I am a Jesus pusher!