Friends in Christ,
Matthew 5:20-26
You can almost hear the groans of the disciples—their righteousness has to surpass that of the Pharisees and scribes! Not only do they have to obey the command not to kill, they aren’t even allowed to harbor anger!
We may feel the same way. How can Jesus expect so much from me? It’s hard enough to try to keep the Ten Commandments; why does he have to expand upon them? But when we think this way, we miss out on one of the most hopeful and freeing parts of the gospel: Jesus is concerned with our hearts. Jesus wants to fill us with love for him and for our neighbors. Why? Because he knows that this love will make us want to keep his commandments. It will fill us with a desire not just to obey the letter of the law but also to avoid even those things that may lead us down the path of disobedience.
The life Jesus came to give us is so much better than we often think. He is looking for brothers and sisters upon whom he can shower his love, not just a group of obedient, docile drones. Where is the freedom in a slavish obedience? Aren’t we made for much more than that? Aren’t we made for conformity to Christ—a conformity fueled by love and not fear?
Because Jesus looks at our hearts, he gives us the grace of reconciliation and repentance. Through his cross, we can experience a change of heart that not only forgives us but empowers us to sin no more! So when you examine your conscience on the way to the altar, be sure you are turning from lack of love, not just seeking pardon for individual transgressions. You’ll be amazed at how much more grace you will receive as you do.
Brothers and sisters, let’s rejoice that Jesus expects a better “righteousness” from us! It is a righteousness that comes from the freedom he won for us by his death and resurrection. It is a righteousness that is reflected in the longing of our hearts and is rooted in love. And best of all, it is a righteousness that he empowers us to fulfill!
“Thank you, Lord, for your mercy! Thank you that you do not keep a list of my failings but look at my heart. Come, Spirit, and transform me. Give me the power to love!”
1 Kings 18:41-46; Psalm 65:10-13
We may feel the same way. How can Jesus expect so much from me? It’s hard enough to try to keep the Ten Commandments; why does he have to expand upon them? But when we think this way, we miss out on one of the most hopeful and freeing parts of the gospel: Jesus is concerned with our hearts. Jesus wants to fill us with love for him and for our neighbors. Why? Because he knows that this love will make us want to keep his commandments. It will fill us with a desire not just to obey the letter of the law but also to avoid even those things that may lead us down the path of disobedience.
The life Jesus came to give us is so much better than we often think. He is looking for brothers and sisters upon whom he can shower his love, not just a group of obedient, docile drones. Where is the freedom in a slavish obedience? Aren’t we made for much more than that? Aren’t we made for conformity to Christ—a conformity fueled by love and not fear?
Because Jesus looks at our hearts, he gives us the grace of reconciliation and repentance. Through his cross, we can experience a change of heart that not only forgives us but empowers us to sin no more! So when you examine your conscience on the way to the altar, be sure you are turning from lack of love, not just seeking pardon for individual transgressions. You’ll be amazed at how much more grace you will receive as you do.
Brothers and sisters, let’s rejoice that Jesus expects a better “righteousness” from us! It is a righteousness that comes from the freedom he won for us by his death and resurrection. It is a righteousness that is reflected in the longing of our hearts and is rooted in love. And best of all, it is a righteousness that he empowers us to fulfill!
“Thank you, Lord, for your mercy! Thank you that you do not keep a list of my failings but look at my heart. Come, Spirit, and transform me. Give me the power to love!”
1 Kings 18:41-46; Psalm 65:10-13
Thanks be to God.
Ed Bakker
