To fulfill the law and the prophets is to choose life wholeheartedly;
it involves both doing and teaching. Anyone
who has taught others recognizes that we learn more when
teaching a subject than we ever thought possible. How
much truer would this be in the doing and teaching of the
righteous commandments found in the law and prophets?
But Jesus requires something else of those who would
be “called great in the kingdom of heaven.” He directs his
followers to righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes
and Pharisees. He moves us back behind the legal commandments
and their interpretation to God’s fundamental
intentions for humanity. The righteousness Christ calls for
is based on the divine will of love and justice for all.
What does this new statement of a very ancient experience
mean for our lives?
It means not necessarily doing more but being more in
touch with the will of God.
It means reflecting on one’s own sin before speaking a
judgmental, hurtful word to another.
It means strengthening, not diminishing, the community
of God’s people.
It means choosing life through a series of little deaths to
selfishness.
The paramount righteousness does not result in conformity
to a norm but continuing commitment to a covenant
relationship with God and with human companions on the
journey. It is to take into ourselves the pain and joy, the burdens
and blessings of the commandments to love God and
neighbor.
By Barbara B. Troxell from The Upper Room: 60 Days of Prayer for General Conference 2016