Pastor Ken
Jesus’ words are a combination of compassion and sternness. One example that sounds harsh is, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus upheld the Mosaic Law and acknowledged the importance of scripture teachings. However, many scribes and Pharisees of the time only appeared righteous on the surface, without genuine faith. Given that, Jesus hoped that His followers, besides having the superficial behavior of a Pharisee, must also have sincere faith in their hearts. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to enter the kingdom of God.
One of Jesus’ parables is about a Pharisee and a tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee’s prayer was, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give tithes of whatever I get.” After reading this passage, some Christians may find it tempting to criticize the Pharisee for his pride and self-righteousness, as well as his disdain towards others.
We should reflect on our own lives. Are there unjust behaviors such as tax evasion, exploiting legal loopholes, wasting company resources, committing adultery, or accepting bribes? Not to mention fasting twice a week, many of us never skip even a single meal for spiritual purposes. When it comes to giving back to God, we try hard to redefine what is considered as income and offering. Once we have donated a tenth of our income, we squander the remainder without considering the needs of those who depend on us. It seems our actions fall short of meeting the standard set by the “righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,” let alone surpassing it.
Jesus also criticized the Pharisees for their love of high positions and seeking honor. As a pastor in the Chinese church for over 30 years, I have some experiences to share. The congregation would often address me as Reverend and I would be seated at the head table during weddings and birthday banquets. People would also ask me to lead the prayers at the beginning and end of gatherings. When I was younger, I used to decline the honors, feeling that I didn’t deserve them. Later I found that the more I explained, the more people misunderstood me and thought that they hadn’t honored me enough. So, over time, I learned to graciously accept those honors. But I remind myself not to be like the Pharisees who deliberately pursue the respect of others, nor to feel resentful about being ignored.
Another of Jesus’ criticisms of the Pharisees was their love for money. The love of money exhibits itself through two distinct expressions: (1) they assess the value of everything using monetary measurements. (2) They judge and treat others based on their outward appearance. I witnessed an incident during a recent journey where a group of tourists at the adjacent table were engaged in a conversation. Regardless of the topic—be it food, attire, tourist attractions, or structures—they focused on the cost and whether it was worth it. Money becomes the sole unit of measurement in their lives. Individuals whose mindset is fixed on material possessions and wealth may risk excluding themselves from entering the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus emphasized that loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves are the outlines of the law. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, the specific performance must include obeying the Ten Commandments and reading the Bible and praying every day to have a meaningful relationship with God. Furthermore, we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and practice loving others as ourselves. Only by transforming from a self-centered life to a God-centered life can we surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.
