Biblical Text

“Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5.19-20, NRSV)

Reflection Video

For the video with the second reflection on Matthew 5.19-20 click here.

Questions

• Has this reflection helped unravel some of the uncertainties of the previous session? What do you think of approaching Jesus’ words in this way? Is it comforting or even more unsettling? What do you think of the notion of following Jesus in the gray areas?
• If you were to employ the three steps listed above, what would you conclude Jesus is saying in these two verses? Is there any tension in your interpretation? If so, how do you live with it? If not, what brings the options together in a neat package?