Better Than a Pharisee

Sixth Sunday after Trinity

July 15, 2012

Better Than a Pharisee

Matthew 5:20-26

Dear friends,

The Pharisees have a bad reputation. We look back at the lot of them and think, “Smug. Arrogant. Proud.” But I wouldn't mind having a Pharisee as my next-door neighbor.

Some of the Pharisees were nice guys. Some earnestly tried to keep the Ten Commandments. Some of them were humble and self-effacing. Some did charity work secretly so that no one would praise them.

But Jesus does praise them.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:20)

If anyone could enter the kingdom of heaven by keeping the Law and following the rules, it would be these guys, Jesus says. Some of them even had their hearts in the right place; they weren't in it for praise or power, they just wanted to do the right thing.

But then Jesus blows up the rules. He points out the rule to not kill anyone. But the rule goes deeper than homicide. Jesus holds up a mirror to all who get angry and explains that the authorities must punish murder, but He will punish anger, “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:22).

You've never had the chance or reason to murder someone, so don't get too excited about your homicide rate of zero. On the other hand, you've had plenty of chances and reasons and good reasons to get angry at others. How's your record? If angry thoughts were holes-in-one, Steve Stricker wouldn't stand a chance—you'd win the John Deere Classic every year.

Jesus goes on to say that holding grudges will kill you. A grudge is an angry pot on simmer. It'll boil over occasionally, but you're the only one who gets burned.

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:25-26)

The underlying foundation of a grudge is that you're right and they're wrong. And sometimes you are correct—they done ya wrong. But sometimes you're looking for a chance to be mad. But either way, what is gained by quiet resentment? Go to the one who has allegedly wronged you and make it right. Don't let emotion or pride get in the way. Do let the facts speak for themselves. Do speak with humility and mercy and leave the results to Jesus.

In the end though, none of this will save you. Being kind to jerks won't save you. Not being grouchy or grudgy won't save you. Never calling someone a fool won't save you. Avoiding sinful thoughts, more or less, won't save you. All these are good things that are results of being saved, but they won't save you. They won't prove that you were worth saving.

So back to Jesus starting point. How do you enter the kingdom of heaven with certainty? By being better than the Pharisees. And who is better than the Pharisees? Only Jesus.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.