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 response to Jesus’ message was astonishment (Matthew 7:28). The Greek word “explesso,” translated astonished, means “to knock out of one’s senses.” The impact of Jesus’ message from the beginning was beyond anything they heard from the scribes (Matthew 7:29). Who could think there was righteousness more excellent than the scribes and Pharisees? But the most startling is “when” we must experience this righteousness. If it is a goal to be achieved eventually, we might find it challenging to engage in meriting such righteousness. However, Jesus again presents this righteousness as a gift of oneness in Him. We do not receive this at the end of the journey. We have this righteousness at the beginning. You do not progress slowly toward such righteousness; you experience it at the entrance to the Kingdom. This righteousness is the result of becoming the Kingdom!
The phrase “by no means” is a translation of two Greek words, “ou me.” These are two negatives side by side. “Ou” is an independent negative. It states the reality of the case. “Me” is a dependent negative expressing a personal opinion and belief. The reality of truth and Jesus’ opinion are the same! “You . . . enter” is a translation of the Greek word “eiserchomai.” The prefix of the main word is “eis,” which means “into.” The main word “erchomai” means “to come.” You do not develop into righteousness after dwelling in the Kingdom for a time; instead, you start with it. In our helplessness, we experience His person; in this combination, the Kingdom becomes a reality. He expresses His nature through us, the nature of meekness, fulfillment, mercy, holiness, peace, and joy amid persecution (Matthew 5:3-12). I am a Jesus pusher!!!