January 8

Christ, The Teacher Of Righteousness

So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. — Matt 5:19 BSB

Our Lord Jesus doesn't destroy but fulfills, as summer fulfills the promises of spring. We need not fear Him as though He delights in withholding good things from us. He will oppose any wrong way of satisfying our desires, but He will fulfill the desires of those who fear Him in the best way, ensuring they are satisfied forever.

True religion is constructive. Christ builds up. He is more about affirming and fulfilling than denying. He sends the new life of the Spirit through us, and as it courses through our lives, old, dead habits fall away, just as the dead leaves drop from trees in spring. Give yourself fully to Him, and ask Him to fulfill in you the principles of righteousness. Christ fulfills the Law and the Prophets, which represent the authority and principles of the Old Testament (Matt 5:17-18). The jot was the smallest Hebrew letter, and the tittle was a small part of a letter. How different this is from modern critics who seem to take pleasure in tearing down the foundations of faith without offering anything in their place!

The righteousness that Jesus teaches is completely different from that of the Pharisees. Their righteousness was outward, formal, and self-serving, meant to earn God’s favor. But Christ calls us to a righteousness that is inward, living, and spiritual. We stand before God clothed in the righteousness of His completed work, and He imparts to us an inner righteousness through the Holy Spirit.

Notice how Jesus distinguishes Himself from “those of old” (Matt 5:21) with the words, “But I say to you.” There is such majesty in those words! He didn’t consider it robbery to be equal with God, yet He was meek and lowly in heart. How else can we reconcile these statements except by believing that He was Emmanuel—God with us?

Prayer

O Captain and Leader of the Holy War, may I wear truth as my belt, righteousness as my breastplate, salvation as my helmet, peace as my shoes, and faith as my shield. May I have no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them through my consistent life and faithful words. Amen.