It is inherent in the nature of the athlete that excels, to continue to strive for the next level;  to run faster, lift more, throw farther, and jump higher.  There never comes a point at which they say, “It is enough.”  There were a particular group of people in scripture who also continually strove for excellence.  The trouble was, they kept moving the bar in the wrong direction, and, when they cleared the lowered standard, proclaimed themselves righteous.  They were even pretty good at convincing others as well, that they themselves had succeeded.  That is why Jesus so frequently took issue with their false humility and elevated sense of self-righteousness.  

Jesus said in Mathew 5 “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven….  For I say unto you, that unless you’re righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  That statement had to come as a real shocker to those who thought the Pharisees had indeed attained the highest level.  One can only imagine the anger on the part of the Pharisees that someone would call them out in such a public forum.

So, go ahead and take a look at the last half of chapter five in Matthew.  It is not for the faint of heart; not when calling someone a fool is equated with murder, or a lustful thought the committing of adultery.  If such is the case, then righteousness is so very far away from our grasp.  We shall never assail high enough up the pole to obtain it.  And that my friend is quite the point of the matter. 

In another place Jesus is asked, “Then who can be saved?”  Whom indeed?  With men it is impossible, “But with God, all things are possible.”  We attempt the vault only to fall flat on our faces in embarrassment, humiliation, failure, and perhaps even injured.  But through God’s grace – the gift from the very teacher in our story,  God treats us as if we had indeed attained the highest mark, and awards us the victors’ crown through Jesus Christ, our Lord.