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). At first glance, you might consider Jesus changed subjects. He moves from “the Law or the Prophets,” the Old Testament Scriptures, to “righteousness.” However, further thought reveals that this is a result of the previous verse (Matthew 5:19). The Scriptures are the boundaries of the righteousness. Jesus compels us to act within the limits of the Scriptures. The Scriptures are the standard by which I can be righteous.
The Greek word “dikaiosune,” translated righteousness, is a noun that is the subject of the sentence. In the Hebrew language, the “tsadaq” word group focuses on “being right.” This concept was consistently connected to the covenant God had with His people. We forcibly see a unilateral covenant in the first third of Israelite history. God was their King. We forcibly see a unilateral covenant in the first third of Israelite history. God was their King; they did not have a man king. God provided deliverance from slavery, water from a rock, quail in the bush, manna from the sky, clothing that lasted, and deliverance from their enemies. Although the Israelites were involved in all events, God was their Source! Because God provided everything in the covenant, Israel needed only one thing. They must live within the boundary of the covenant. The boundary was the Law (Scriptures). Living within this boundary was “righteousness.” However, Israel found it impossible to keep the law! Jesus came to fulfill the Law, Scriptures! We find righteousness only in Him! In merging with Jesus, He fulfills the Scriptures in us. I am a Jesus pusher!!