The children are discussing the preaching of our Lord Jesus Christ in catechism, which is always the Kingdom of Heaven. Here, our Lord sets forth the character of those who belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. There has to be righteousness in Christ and even at the table of the Lord's supper there are no chairs for the Pharisees of the self righteous!
There is such a thing as false self assurance. The Pharisees were very sure that there were Chris...tian and had entrance into the Kingdom. The battle lines had already been drawn between Jesus and the Judaizes, between Jesus and "the establishment." The Pharisees felt very secure of their entrance, yet Jesus had some very indicting words.....They were white washed sepulchers. He calls them fools and leaders of the blind. That is why Jesus spoke with the words "you have heard..." as the Pharisees were very outspoken. And He speaks saying "unless your righteousness exceeds the scribes and Pharisees (speaking of His own righteousness) no one would have entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. The scribes were the keepers and interpreters of the Law and retained the scrolls....YET, the Publican who cried out for mercy went home justified, unlike the Pharisee whose righteousness and salvation was earned in himself. Security in himself and not in deep humility in the blood of the Lamb.
Jesus is not speaking of quantity but quality! Assurance into the Kingdom is ONLY found in deep humility. Not in self righteousness and self arrogance. Are we not completely unprofitable even when we are at our very best? We can never earn our righteousness and it can only be found by faith in the RIGHTEOUS ONE! The one who kept the law perfectly from the HEART 24/7!!! And He established the Kingdom Himself and in His own blood on the cross! Are you and I really going to lean on ourselves??
By faith we will take hold of Christ for our righteousness. This will take us away from the arrogance of the Pharisee. It takes away all pride and our life will reflect this very thing! The glory of Heaven will show itself in our life.....today, tomorrow, and every day of the week!
