"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." Matthew 5:23,24

In previous verses, Christ says that if I speak harshly against a brother I'm in danger of judgment. How serious is He about it? He tells me in these verses. He indicates it is fundamental that I keep a good relationship with my physical and spiritual family.

This picture is pretty amazing to me. Here I am at the temple getting ready to make my sacrifice... perhaps a lamb at Passover, doves, grain, whatever the sacrifice might be and for whatever reason... and I think about someone who might have a grudge against me. Christ tells me I should leave my sacrifice right there and go work it out with the person who is upset with me. This doesn't say, If I have something against a BROTHER!!!! It says if a BROTHER has something against ME!

This goes against everything I've ever learned. In fact, I went to a seminar once where the topic of responsibility and accountibility was on the agenda. It was pounded in our heads you can only be accountible for the things over which you have control... and other peoples reaction to you is out of your control... so forget about it! But that's not what this verse says. It says if anyone has anything against me. It doesn't say if I've wronged someone... it doesn't say if I have a bone to pick with someone. It says "If someone has something against me" PERIOD! Doesn't matter what the reason... doesn't matter if they are misconceived... doesn't matter if it's valid. The important thing is that I am to take the initiative to patch things up. And when you've gotten it straight with them... come back to church.

Father, it's easy for me to take the attitude that it's some else's problem. That I can't control their actions, so I'll just choose not to be offended and continue on my merry way. You are telling me today to patch up my differences even if it isn't my fault. To do that I'm going to have to swallow my pride... and that isn't easy... at least not for me. Oh, and by the way... I know you are pretty upset with some of the things I've said and the things I've done lately... Can we talk?

- posted by Steve R. @ 9:53 AM

 
"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." Matthew 5:21, 22

Yes, it is 4:00 AM... and I'm a person who doesn't think a sunrise should ever be seen unless it is a part of the night before. But I've had to change a lot of things as a result of this project... be a morning person... be very structured in my work approach (even more than usual)... work and play nicely with other departments and people to be able to get my basic work done. So, if I can change my inate behaviors for work... why is so hard to do that for Christ? After all, He did say, " if you love me, keep my commands" in John 13.

When I read this section, my thoughts are that Christ has shifted gears... one of those, I'm changing the subject now kind of moments that I seem to have with my wife Marcia. For the first time in over forty years of studying this, the aha moment has hit... he is not shifting gears... this all ties back to the statement he made when he said, "I've not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it." He starts by quoting the law... he starts it with "You have heard it said..." and where did they hear it... from the Pharisees and Teachers he said they must be more righteous than. Then he goes on to explain what God intended with that law. This one is a good place to start... "Thou shalt not kill".

We'd all agree... even the supreme court... taking another life is not a good thing. There were times it was allowed... war, as retribution for a murder committed to your kin. There were even cities of refuge set up where you could go... a safe house where you didn't have to worry about retribution killings. But Christ takes this beyond that. Why? Because the Pharisees would say as long as you don't do it, you're fine. It had nothing to do with your thoughts or your heart... just what you did. Christ says, it's not what you do... it's how you think!

The Pharisees and Teachers say, "Don't murder. If you do you'll be brought to court for judgement." Chist says, if you are angry with a brother, you are going to be judged. If you say to a brother, "You're an idiot!" you will be judged by the highest court in the land. But if you put a curse on a brother and castigate him by calling him a fool... you're in danger of hell fire... danger of losing your soul. That's pretty serious stuff.

I remember seeing an old woman at the Dung gate in Jerusalem. She was chasing this older man out of the city. I couldn't understand what she was saying... probably a good thing. But the body language was saying enough. She was spitting at him... yelling at him... throwing things at him. Obviously cursing him... or putting a curse on him. And he was beating feet as quickly as he could... it had to be humiliating for him... but this is the exact kind of behavior that Christ is addressing here: Our behavior toward those with whom we have daily contact.

The key here for me is the escalation of the thought process... As I become more harsh in my thought processes, the danger and consequences of my actions become more severe... THOUGHT PROCESSES. You mean I can't call people names under my breath or even in my own mind anymore? God must never have been riding with me on a commute on the DC Beltway. You mean I can't rage on the inside and calmly look at them on the outside, anymore? After all, I work to be politally correct... OK... there's that time I told a staffer to the UnderSecretary that he was full of C****... but that was slip. Most of the time I just think it... and this is saying I can't even do that anymore? That stinks!!! And that's exactly what Christ said... I'm like a white washed grave... pretty and calm on the outside, but rotten to the core and stinking on the inside. And to make matters worse, before I say it, I have to think it.

I've got to clean up my thinking about those around me. I can't be nice on the outside, and seething on the inside. I can't be polite to their face and having an entirely different conversation on the inside of my head. I'm going to have to genuinely build a relationship with people in the world. Maybe I'd better start thinking about and treating people like I want to be treated. Have I heard that somewhere before?

Father, I'm so often guilty of thoughts toward others that I would never express to them in person. I used to think that's ok... just don't say it. Convict me of allowing those thoughts to fester in my heart and building in their intensity. More than anything change my heart. Make my thoughts, your thoughts. Then, the actions will take care of themselves. Thank you for the work you are and will continue to do in my life.
- posted by Steve R. @ 3:58 AM

 
"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. " Matthew 5:20

Jesus has just said that not one pen stroke would disappear from the law until He had fulfilled the law. The next sentence is this one. What's the connection? The Jewish religion was all about the law. My brother Bill once said in a message that at an early age, Jewish boys were required to memorize the Pentateuch (the first five books of the old testament). The second to fifth books made up the books of law... they were the rule book that the Jew lived by. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were what they would call here in D.C., the SMEs... the Subject Matter Experts. The religious equivalent of Congressmen and Senators to the Jewish Religion. After all, aren't our lawmakers the experts on American law? Aren't most of our legislators lawyers?

But here's what is the shock... Christ says that I have to be MORE righteous than they are before I can get into heaven. I don't think that's possible. These guys were the Robert Schuller and Billy Graham of the day. I've got to be better than they were? I thought we were living under Grace not works! These guys would even count the leaves on the parsley on their plate and take every 10th one and put it in the offering plate... there are times I don't even put a check in the offering plate. How can I be better than them.

Yesterday the Supreme Court heard arguments about whether "Under God" should stay in our pledge to the flag... whether it is constitutional. It hasn't always been in there... in fact those words are a fairly recent addition. But to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if the court doesn't force us to remove it. After all, they are the legal experts, and they've said there can't be any religion in our government. I wonder if they've gotten so smart that they've missed the point. That's what happened with the Pharisees and teachers.

I've read ahead here.... the rest of the chapter is "You've heard..." undoubtable from these teachers.... but I tell you. The whole thing is... I've got to get it from my head to my heart. I can't just know that law and work it out... I have to know Christ and allow His Spirit to control my actions and thoughts. I have to get out of the way... quit playing church... and live Christ. I don't know if I can do that... it's easier to just be a good "citizen" and obey the laws. Or is it? I've already admitted that I totally have messed that part up... so let me try this righteousness thing... but that's the point, isn't it? I can't "DO" it... I have to "BE" it. (Gulp)

Father, I've studied and spent years in your Word to learn what I'm supposed to do... how I'm supposed to act... what I'm supposed to say. Now, I realize that that was the approach taken by the Pharisees and Teachers of your time... and that didn't cut it. Help me to get my head out of the way and let my heart take over. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. Let me allow your blood to cleanse me of my sin and let me quit trying to prove to you I'm good enough and smart enough to be your kid. Father, forgive me for my pride and arrogance.
- posted by Steve R. @ 6:19 AM

 
"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19

I've always thought sin was sin. It doesn't matter if there is a little sin or a big sin... all sin ruins our chance to be perfect. Now I have something else to think about... are there degrees of severity for sin? I don't think so... but I do think what Christ is saying here is if you break any commandment this is a problem and of course there's more.

I love to teach...in fact I believe it is my spiritual gift. What this verse is telling me more than the fact that there are degrees of sin is that if I do sin, and teach others that it is OK to sin, then that's when we have a serious problem. What this verse is really saying to me, is that teaching is serious business. I'd better know what I'm talking about. I'd better do my homework... because not only is the soul of the student at risk... but my own personal reward in heaven is at stake. Double jeopardy... student's soul and my reward.

But the good news... even though I've sinned, I can still get to heaven. Not that I want to sin. But I don't seem to have to worry every moment about my salvation... and to be honest, when it comes to heaven... I don't mind the thoughts of being a little fish in that huge pond. The real message of this verse to me is that I have to be a consistent Christian. I have to walk the walk and talk the talk. That's not so easy either... but the benefits are pretty awesome.

Father, as I begin this morning, allow your Spirit to kick me in the seat of the pants when I get off the sidewalk. Help me to understand the seriousness of teaching others... and at the same time, the draw me so close to you and your word that I will keep your commandments... not because it's a requirement... but because I have an intense desire to just show you the appreciation I have for your show of love to me. You said to your disciples in the upper room, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments". Lord, help me to love you more today.


- posted by Steve R. @ 6:22 AM

 
"I tell you the truth, until heaven earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:18.

Christ reinforces his statement that he did not come to destroy the law with this statement. I'm not sure I could make a statement like this. I can be a real iconoclast. I have a real problem with authority... always have. I know some people that like to live by the rules. They like to be safe. Not me! My feelings most of the time are take the biggest lead you can and make 'em throw at you... especially when it comes to the rules. Christ bursts my bubble in with this verse... not a single stroke of the pen will disappear until everything is accomplished.

But then I have a different picture. It is of The Passion. Christ has been hanging on the cross... bloody... ripped up... struggling to even take a breath when He cries out, "Tetelesthai!" ... Paid in full ... It is finished! A Hebrew banking term that was stamped on a certificate to indicate no more payment was required. The ancient equivelent of burning the mortgage or receiving your title from the bank. What Christ was saying in very simple terms was that everything was accomplished. We are no longer under the law. The age of Grace had officially been ushered in.

Father, you lived by all the rules so that I wouldn't have to. I'm so ungrateful to you most of the time. I don't have to live under the law... you have said, "If I love you, then I'll obey you out of love". I don't even want to do that most of the time. Why am I so ungrateful? Why am I so unappreciative. Father, forgive me for I don't know what I'm doing.
- posted by Steve R. @ 4:41 PM