In the words of Elsa, sometimes people just need to “let it go” and move on with their lives. Jesus, however, leaves no room for His followers to ignore the offenses and hurts others carry without attempting reconciliation. He does not intend for us to live with strong walls that keep others out, nor does He plan for us to respond in kind to how others treat us. This does not mean we have to constantly ask others if they are angry with us. It also does not mean we overlook sin or criminal offenses! This is a clear teaching on keeping short accounts with people as well as with God.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Matthew 5:21-26
As a master teacher, Jesus takes the blessings of His Kingdom and makes practical application. In these next five paragraphs of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins each with, “Ye have heard that it hath been said of old time.” Though that may be the accepted way of things, Jesus says it is time for new thinking for those who will follow Him.
The first one addressed is murder. Those who murder are in danger of judgment, but Jesus emphasizes that murder starts long before blood is shed. It begins with anger, which leads to calling someone ignorant, and then by labeling them an unbeliever altogether. Notice the progression: causeless anger, name-calling, not even caring where a person will spend eternity.
Interestingly, verse 23 turns the perspective around completely. First, Jesus was talking about the person who was angry. Now, he addresses the one who is the object of that causeless anger. His followers could not even worship God until they went to the person who was angry in hopes of reconciling the situation.
Wait, what? Someone is angry with me for what I think is no reason to be angry, but it is my job to peacefully entreat them? (“To make an earnest petition or request,” 1828 Webster’s Dictionary). I cannot call them ignorant or empty-headed (the definition of “Raca”). I cannot cut them off as an unbeliever. Why? Because their soul is more important than me being right. Jesus holds me accountable for finding out the cause of a brother’s anger.
Does this not change everything we think about what it means to live as a follower of Jesus? It is more important to help a fellow believer be right with the Lord than to worship God individually. Jesus never meant for Christianity to become a solo mission. Our worship means nothing if we have done nothing to help someone else worship.
Verses 25-26 have a similar theme. John Phillips writes in his commentary on Matthew that Roman law allowed for a settlement between parties before court. (Exploring the Gospel of Matthew, 100). Jesus encouraged His followers to make the settlement because court could go much worse for them. Fighting for one’s rights would cost far more than agreeing on a settlement in the beginning.
In relation to anger, by meeting the demands of the adversary, the believer has taken the adversary’s reason to be offended away from him. Not only is the believer responsible to protect his own heart from murderous rage, but he is again responsible to do whatever he can to protect others’ hearts from the same fate. Jesus turns human thinking upside down with His rules of the Kingdom. Why is this important? Because Jesus’s followers are not looking for their rewards here on earth. Rather, their rewards are safeguarded by God in Heaven. His rewards are timeless, permanent, and far more valuable than anything that can be gained on this planet.
Jesus’ disciple John expounded more on this in his epistle of 1 John. It is impossible to hold a grudge against a brother and sing, “O how I love Jesus” with a pure heart.
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:9-11
How like Jesus to demand something that His followers can only do with His help. One day, we will live together in heaven without the temptation of sin, but for now, we strive to make heaven on earth with our fellow believers. Jesus says that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. His Gospel working in us makes that possible.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Please leave a comment below if you have something to add to today’s post. Have a blessed weekend, my friends.
His Song in the Night 