For I Say Unto You

"For I say unto you, that except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:20.  The kingdom of heaven was coming in all of its power and glory.  Jesus was going to be crucified and resurrected from the grave.  He was going to be placed upon the right hand of God to rule over His kingdom, the church.  The gospel was going to be proclaimed throughout all the world.  All people everywhere would have the opportunity to become citizens of the kingdom of heaven.  But, in order to enter into that eternal kingdom, one must possess a righteousness that exceeded the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.  The righteousness which would place one into the kingdom of heaven would be the righteousness of Christ.  The citizen of the kingdom would listen to the word of Christ.  Christ was given authority that transcended all authority.  "I say unto you."  The kingdom of heaven would have a new law and a new lawgiver.   Through this law, one could know God.  One who would hear Christ in all things would know forgiveness and fellowship with God.  Christ would be accepted through faith and obedience.  His sayings would become the law that ruled the heart.  Righteousness would be attained through Christ.  Hear Him and become a citizen of His kingdom, the kingdom of heaven.