In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount by calling his disciples to a “greater righteousness.” In his programmatic statement Jesus warns his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.” In the next section this greater righteousness means following not just the letter but the spirit of the Law (5:21-48). In the following section (6:1-18) this greater righteousness means performing righteous deeds (almsgiving, prayer, faster) not just for show but for God: “But take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” (6:1).
Today’s Gospel focusses on this first section where greater righteousness means following not just the letter but also the spirit of the law. In Matthew’s Gospel the word righteousness means God will and way. Jesus quotes the Torah or Law and then gives his interpretation. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill… But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother or sister will be liable to judgment,” (Matthew 5:21; Exodus 20:13). God’s will is not just that we do not kill but that we avoid anger and cursing. Instead, we should seek reconciliation and peace:
“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
Jesus’ teachings are very challenging because he calls us to avoid a strict legalism and always seek to do the greater good. His Sermon on the Mount also teaches that Jesus as the Son of God is the authoritative teacher of the will of God. As Christians we cannot just pick some Scripture text to support some action or moral decision rather we must also seek Jesus’ clear guidance to know and do God’s will. A clear but challenging example is Jesus’ rejection of the so-called lex talionis (“eye for an eye).
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ (Leviticus 24:20)
“But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” (Matthew 5:38-39)
This “eye for an eye” (lex talionis) saying from Leviticus has been cited as the Scriptural and moral justification for capital punishment. Jesus, however, rejects this interpretation of God’s will: “But I say to you…turn the other cheek.” As disciples of Jesus, we are called to this “greater righteousness.” God’s will is for us to be people of mercy and compassion: “Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
Image: “Sermon On The Mount” by roberthuffstutter is licensed under CC BY 2.0.