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Matthew 5-7 – Is Jesus the Uber-Pharisee?
Shockingly, at least to our modern theological ears, the most works-oriented discourse in the Bible, whether Old or New Testament is…the Sermon on the Mount. Maybe equally shocking is that the word “grace” is never uttered; yet Jesus commands the ultimate call to be perfect as His Father is perfect (5:48).
Is Jesus the Uber-Pharisee? How insulting. Is Jesus in His wisdom setting the spiritual bar so high as to be impossible so that all would give up works-oriented, self-righteousness, and admit their weakness and helplessness? While such is true, that is not Jesus’ point (Mt.7:24-27). Is Jesus siding with James against Paul in justification by works? Can’t be, since those two do not disagree. Is the solution that Jesus teaches a different gospel than Paul did in Romans and Galatians? Such a theory could only be conceived of in a seminary.
Maybe the answer is as deep as it is simple. Romans is the theological description of the value of works – which equals nothing – and yet never does Paul contrast grace to obedience. In Romans, righteousness is a status bestowed a response to faith. James is the practical expression of faith, it works. In James, righteousness is an action, a response of faith. In Romans righteousness is a gift from God. In James righteousness is a gift to God.
The Sermon on the Mount is both theological and practical. Theologically it describes the deep impression that is made upon a soul that seeks first the kingdom of God. Love, not hate; “otherness,” not selfishness; is the necessary expression of righteousness. Being like God changes the entire personality, changing both motive and action. It is that last part that is practical. Righteousness acts out in righteous ways. How can it act if not righteously?
Jesus is not discussing salvific righteousness, top-down, from heaven to man. Jesus is not discussing how we become righteous despite being sinners. Jesus, the Master Teacher, the wondrous Professor of Parables, that most simple method of teaching, is teaching the other side of that truth – righteousness down-top, bottom-up, from man to heaven. Righteousness is our actions to act as lovingly as God because we want to be like God, and God works righteously and righteously works (5:48).
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