Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is aimed at the self-righteous: people who do not see a need for God in their lives. Righteousness is the state of being right with God. Jesus stunned His listeners by His instruction concerning righteousness: “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20).

Now, people thought highly of the scribes and Pharisees. They were religious leaders, and they knew Scripture exceptionally well. If they lived in modern times, the scribes and Pharisees would likely be our preachers, elders, deacons, and Bible class teachers. How surprising, then, that Jesus would say one’s righteousness must exceed theirs!

To better establish His meaning in verse 20, Jesus provided six practical illustrations of righteousness in Matt. 5:21-48. These six illustrations demonstrate that to be right with God, we must desire to obey His will from the heart (cf. Prov. 4:23; 23:7). Righteousness is indeed a matter of heart.

Righteousness and Anger (v.21-26) — The Lord’s first illustration deals with murder. The Pharisees thought themselves righteous because they had not actually killed anybody, but Jesus pointed out that they were guilty of hate, bitterness, and resentment against others. Such attitudes toward our brethren actually hinder our relationship with God! Christians are to deal with anger quickly and appropriately (Matt. 5:23-26).

Righteousness and Lust (v.27-30) — The Pharisees counted themselves pleasing to God because they had not physically committed adultery (cf. v.27). However, Jesus says that pleasing God means that we must keep lustful thoughts out of our hearts and minds as well (v.28-30). What we put in our hearts will eventually express itself in action (cf. Prov. 4:23). We need to eliminate negative influences in our lives in this regard (Matt. 5:29ff).

Righteousness and Commitment (v.31-32) — Marriage in Jesus’ time had become something of a joke. Some Pharisees and scribes taught that a man could be divorced for any reason, so long as he gave his wife a certificate. Jesus said that marriage is a commitment, and that the only legitimate reason to put one’s spouse away is for sexual immorality. How we view marriage says much about what we think of God (Matt. 5:32).

Righteousness and Truth (v.33-37) — Jesus did not forbid the taking of oaths per se, but He did forbid us to promise something with no intention of fulfilling that promise whatsoever (cf. v.34-36). Those who are truly righteous will tell the truth and perform what they promise (v.37).

Righteousness and Mercy (v.38-42) — Instead of invoking the popular vengeance verse: “an eye for an eye…,” Jesus said that His disciples were to show mercy. Mercy is treating someone better than they deserve. Turning the other cheek, giving someone your shirt as well as your coat, and going an extra mile — these are all examples of mercy: treating others better than they deserve (v.39-42). “Blessed are the merciful” (Matt. 5:7).

Righteousness and Love (v.43-48) — It’s usually easy to love one’s friends. However, a distinguishing mark of Christians is that they love their enemies, too! Love for enemies is expressed in a number of ways: blessing them, doing good to them, and praying for them (v.44). Love, in this context, expresses the state of mind that desires the very best for its object with no strings attached. Christians are to desire the very best for others, even their enemies. After all, that’s what God is like (v.45)! —JB