What do we need to know from Jesus about this?

1. There is a higher bar than keeping the law. If your MO is simply being a law keeper, a rule follower, then you will miss the mark. Remember, Jesus said it in V20– righteousness must EXCEED the law keepers – there is something bigger at play
2. If Jesus is fulfillment of the law, then Jesus is a prerequisite for keeping the law. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Jesus is the NEW COVENANT. Jesus is the one who writes the law on our heart. Jesus is the one that changes your motivation from law breaker to law keeper. He is the only one who can change a human heart. The OLD COVENANT was adherence to the law. But JESUS reconciles your heart to the Father so you WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, to keep your heart from sin, to want to pursue him more than you want to run from sin. Without Jesus, you’ll never be able to keep the law, because your heart has a deep desire for sin. SO…

3. Jesus wants your heart, not just your actions. To trust Jesus with your life is relinquishing control of everything, not just your spiritual or religious life. He wants it all. He wants your affections, your desires, your inclinations, he wants to be CEO and COO of your life.

Most of us are willing to give our surface, but Jesus is asking for everything beneath the surface, because he knows that when he has your heart, actions will follow. To legalist: you are not awesome. Jesus hated the religious. To the minimalist, you are only fooling yourself – your rebellion is ultimately a heart condition. Both desperately need encounter with Jesus.