The religious teachers of Jesus’ day accused him of breaking and abusing God’s law, but Jesus makes clear that he came to fulfill and affirm the Scriptures. Where the scribes and Pharisees had narrowed and lowered God’s standard, Jesus exposes the futility of religious externalism. In God’s kingdom, greatness flows from righteous living and teaching that honors God’s law — not attempts to loosen or relax his commands — and entry requires a true righteousness that is only met in Jesus and enabled by the Holy Spirit.