Jesus has instructed us on how we are to be light and salt to the world; He has given us instructions on living the law in our hearts and then He goes deeper into what is expected of us as believers. He reflects back to the law - "Do not murder." We all feel pretty good about that one. Ok, Jesus, we can clear that hurdle. We are feeling pretty good at that point, when then we hear - anyone angry at their brother will be subject to judgement. Wait a minute, does Jesus realize the people I have to deal with day to day? Has He seen traffic lately? How can we not be angry? Looking deeper into the passage, it can be seen what He is speaking of. Jesus is talking of the anger that comes within us that writes people off, that considers them less than human, the anger that makes us self-righteously consider ourselves better than others. Don't let yourself be taken over by unrighteous anger. We are instructed in other places in His word - "Be angry, but do not sin" Giving people a "worthless" or "hopeless" label is casting people into judgement of your own - a job not left up to us. Jesus is telling us to be careful not to let our anger make people less than worthy of our love. We all are not worthy of His love, yet we still are loved. In dealing with others, do the same. Don't look to what they do or have done for or to you. Look to their worth as a child of God and love them unconditionally too. Jesus wants our love to extend to others without conditions, just as His love extends to us. He then goes into getting things right with others prior to going to the altar to get things right with God. This passage brings to mind others we have heard....judge not or you will be judged.....forgive us as we forgive others....don't let the sun go down on your wrath. Jesus is telling us to get right with our brothers so we can truly get right with Him. As a parent, I can see what he means in this. If my oldest child comes to me to sit down and have a meal, but he has his younger sibling in a headlock while he sits at the table, it will tend to make me as a parent not want to feed him. Jesus is giving similar instructions - you are welcome at my altar of forgiveness. I unconditionally love you, but I know that you cannot fully receive My best for you if you have uncleared wrongs against others when you come to commune with me. Forgive others and in this you can receive your full forgiveness. I think another part of this is Jesus knowing as Christians others are always looking at us, seeing how we live outside the walls of our church. If we are at His altar of forgiveness on Sunday and bowing to altars of bad business practices, shading living and treating others badly Monday through Saturday, we are not giving the world the picture of Christianity that it needs to see. We then get help in how to handle adversarial dealings with others. Handle problems quickly and one on one when possible. Do not let things get out of hand and get past reconciliation so that you will have to be brought before others to receive punishment for your wrongdoings. Deal with your friends and receive their "judgement" instead of being brought before others who may not be as ready to treat you as lightly. Dealing with others is always something we have to do, and no one enjoys dealing with others when conflict arises. Be the one to take on Christ's teachings - be the one to humble yourself. Be the one who realizes that pride destroys and love builds.
21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
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