The Sermon Continues - Pt 2

 

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:21–26 ESV).

 

Our reading today takes us to a common need among all of us. Jesus teaches about anger and reconciliation. While the law condemns those who murder, Jesus says in a kingdom community such a low bar inadequate. The kingdom can only take root in communities where people practice reconciliation. Hate and anger are like a virus that grows and poisons a community. If we are going to experience God’s kingdom we must not allow it to take root. God’s desire is for us to experience joy, peace, love and belonging. But unresolved conflict makes that impossible in a community. Instead, God desires that his people live in harmony with each other. To safeguard the community, believers need to practice reconciliation as a way of life. As we learn to deal with small conflicts immediately, larger conflicts can be avoided. While conflicts are unavoidable, anger and reconciliation must go together.

 

There are some practical principles in this part of His sermon. Jesus redefines God's law to show that sin begins in the heart, not just in physical actions. He equates unrighteous anger and insults to murder, emphasizing that God values human dignity and requires believers to aggressively pursue reconciliation.

 

People were taught "do not murder" and that physical violence is what makes someone guilty before God. However, Jesus explains that harboring malicious anger or using demeaning language toward someone is a violation of this command. Using insults (like calling someone a "fool") devalues them as an image-bearer of God, making your heart guilty of the same root attitude that leads to murder.

 

Jesus also teaches that unresolved conflict is a barrier to fellowship with God. If you are about to offer a gift to God and remember that someone has an issue with you, you must stop, leave your offering, and make peace first. Of course, He is not saying that reconciliation is an easy matter. I often remind people that much of the teachings of Jesus are simple, but they are often not easy. He is emphasizing that loving God and loving people are inseparable. We cannot have a right relationship with God while harboring resentment or ignoring a fracture in human relationships.

 

Notice how Jesus uses this as a warning. We should give priority to dealing with our relational debts and hostilities. Waiting or allowing bitterness to build only leads to a worse outcome, ultimately standing before God's ultimate judgment.