Matthew 5:23-24, “seek reconciliation NOW!” [Listen]

When Jesus shows us God’s heart for his people I am often amazed at how I fall short. Just when I think I’m making real progress, I see that I’m far from where I should be and, as is so often the case, Jesus would move my heart to a place I would never go on my own.

Matthew 5:21-24 – “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 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.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

After Jesus claims to be the fulfillment of Scripture (vs 17) he goes on to share how he understands God’s heart – and how the religious leaders of the day fall short. In his first example he explains how murder and anger are not two separate things and if you are angry with your brother (or sister) you are in great danger. Compared to the way I function, this is a seemingly an impossible thing to internalize and accept.

The very logical and practical conclusion Jesus reaches as a result of what he just said (murder and anger are closely connected) is not the conclusion I might reach. Jesus basically says that if I do not pursue reconciliation with someone who has something against me, my offerings are a sham. My first thought when I read this is that it doesn’t make sense. Why didn’t Jesus say that if you harbor anger against someone, go and reconcile with them? My natural reaction is to say that if someone is angry with me, however, it’s their problem and not mine. Jesus would say it’s my issue to deal with.

Jesus’ call here goes far beyond me struggling with my own anger. It is a call to embody what it means to walk by faith. If I am the person Jesus described in verses 3-12 (poor in spirit, merciful, meek, pure in heart, etc) and if my heart is aligned with the greatest commandment (love God / love my neighbor) this is what I will do – my brother’s welfare becomes my own. When I know my brother has something against me:

• When I know my brother has something against me we are, by definition, not in fellowship with each other – which is contrary to the will of God. Here in the United States we have convinced ourselves that the most important thing is how we feel about our relationship with God. It seems to be almost impossible for us to understand that our relationship with God cannot be cut away from who he would have us become. Just as it is wrong to say, “I have a wonderful relationship with God.” while I rob banks for a living; it is wrong to say, “I have a wonderful relationship with God.” while I do not care about a conflict between myself and my brother. When we are out of fellowship with each other we are showing that we don’t care about God’s design to show himself through this church and about being those described in vs 3-12- it’s all about me.

• When I know my brother has something against me, he (and I) may be harboring anger; which puts him (and me) at risk. If I truly love my brother I must do what helps him

1 John 4:20-21 – …anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

We all know that living in sin tends to create more sin. This is painfully true when it comes to personal disputes. We want to let everyone know how we have been wronged, and how the one who wronged us has questionable character. The reality is that the way we act during conflict is often cancerous to the cause of Jesus. We do exactly what we shouldn’t do – seek reconciliation.

This issue is so important that Jesus understands acceptance of

1 Timothy 3:1-5 – But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

• When I know my brother has something against me and I do nothing to seek reconciliation my prayer, my offering, my fasting, my religiosity is a sham. I may impress those who can’t see my heart but I do not impress God. I have broken fellowship with God and gone my own way.

James 3:17-18 – But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

1 John 2:9-11 – Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

1 John 3:14-15 – We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

If you love your brother you will care for his soul. If he has something against you, he is at risk (and you may be too). Your love for him should compel you to reconcile.

In closing let me just say this: God has called those who would embrace Jesus as their savior and lord to follow his example – the Holy Spirit makes this possible. He came for us while we had no appetite for reconciliation. He made the first move – the decisive move. He died for us while we hated him so we could live. Likewise we must do this for each other.