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Matthew 5:21-26 Anger leads to judgement

  • 15-06-2020 8:51am
    #1
    theological
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,831 ✭✭✭


    We're continuing to look through Matthew, the last thread is here, and the first in the series is here.
    Matthew 5:21-26 wrote:
    21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 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. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 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. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

    In verse 20 in the last passage we were told that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees. This is our first example for how life must change. In the law murder was liable to judgement. The Ten Commandments tell us that we shall not murder and Deuteronomy (16:18) tell us that crimes like this were judged.

    Jesus raises the bar for how our lives must change if we are to follow after Him. It isn't just murder that is liable to judgement, but our anger and insults are brought to the same level (verse 22). Anger is effectively the murder of the heart. Why has Jesus raised this to this level?

    You can see in the next few verses what is at stake. Verses 23 and 24 say that reconciliation with our brother is more important than religious observance. We see this in terms of offering gifts at the temple. Go sort out the difficulties you have with your brother and then offer the gift.

    We see Jesus effectively say that we should come to terms quickly with those we have wronged. If possible settle these disputes before it even gets to court.

    Jesus is gathering a people, He is fishing out men as we saw in chapter 4. God is reconciling the world to Himself. This is the mission that Jesus has been called to in Matthew 1:21. If Jesus has come to reconcile people to Himself, then we should be a people who reconcile people to others.

    Some thoughts for prayer:
    Father thank you that you raise the bar wonderfully for us above that of the Pharisees and the scribes. Please help us to live for you, please equip us to be a people who avoid anger and strife and division. Help us to rejoice in your mission of reconciling the world to you through your Son. Please help us to be a people who reconcile with others in response to your truths.

    As always, additional thoughts and comments are welcome.


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