Jesus’ Warning About Righteousness
Jesus said, “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment. If you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council. And if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go—first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”
I Hear Dead People: Matthew 5:20–26
What Does It Mean to Put God First?
We often get fooled into believing that we are putting God first when we stick to our convictions. Even if it creates problems for others. But Jesus teaches that prioritizing our relationships and doing the work to stay in right relationship with one another is what truly honors God. That is our righteousness.
Jesus points to the scribes and Pharisees as examples of people who practiced religious rituals flawlessly but failed to value relationships. Their righteousness was rooted in their external actions, not in love for their neighbors.
The Heart of the Commandment Against Murder
Jesus brings up murder, a crime universally recognized as wrong. God is the giver of life, and when we murder, we become life-takers—the opposite of God. But Jesus takes it a step further: broken relationships, anger, and insults also corrupt our hearts. He teaches that ignoring brokenness while offering gifts at the altar is akin to being psychotic. If we knowingly avoid reconciliation but still engage in religious rituals, we miss the point entirely.
God doesn’t need our gifts or offerings. He doesn’t require anything from us. Often, we are blind to our own unspiritual behavior. Reconciliation with God doesn’t come from religious acts—it comes from reconciling with one another. And reconciliation is, in itself, a gift from God.
True Righteousness: Healing Broken Relationships
Jesus tells us we have the power to mend our relationships. When we honor one another and seek true reconciliation, our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and scribes.
The Cost of Unresolved Conflict
Jesus warns: “Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”
This verse can seem perplexing. What is Jesus warning against? He presents two paths to reconciliation: one where we settle our disputes directly, and one where we leave it to a judge. But who is the judge? Who is the guard? What is the prison? Perhaps Jesus is describing a process rather than literal figures.
Jesus emphasizes that resolving conflicts personally is the better way. When we take responsibility and reconcile quickly, both parties win. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:7, “Why not rather be wronged?” He rebukes the church for taking disputes to court. Jesus was speaking to followers who would be handing their rights over to an oppressive Roman government. It would be foolish to let a dispute escalate that far.
At a deeper heart level, Jesus teaches that reconciliation brings wholeness, especially when we adopt Paul’s perspective—valuing relationships over personal rights. Grace, humility, and a willingness to be wronged for the sake of peace lead to full restoration. But when we prioritize being right over reconciling, one person may win, but the other may never find resolution. If one party imposes impossible conditions, the relationship may remain permanently fractured.
The Two Sides of the Same Coin
In verse 22, Jesus first addresses the offended, but then shifts focus to the offender. He highlights both sides of the equation: the offended who harbors unforgiveness and malice, and the offender who tries to ease their conscience through religious rituals rather than true repentance. The result for both? Loneliness and suffering.
Christianity is Lived in Community
Christianity cannot be lived out in isolation. It is meant to be lived in community. Relationships are hard and messy because love is hard and messy. We are all difficult at times. We all can be hard to love. But we are responsible for our own actions and words. Someone else’s poor behavior never justifies our refusal to love.
Jesus’ example on the cross surpasses any forgiveness we will ever have to offer. Forgiveness and mercy are the gifts we bring to God, not by placing them on a physical altar, but by offering them at the altar of our relationships.