March 6, 2016
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:23-26
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; 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 together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Questions for Reflection:
In the passage above, Jesus offers practical illustrations of how to apply the instruction that he had just given (the passage we studied yesterday). What is the first example? The offering of a gift at the alter was conducted in the temple. Jesus says that if you are preparing to offer a sacrifice and remember that there is a relationship that is out of order, we are to leave our gifts and go and be reconciled, then offer our gift. For most Jews, the trip to Jerusalem was a special event. It might take several days to get to the temple. The process of leaving Jerusalem, traveling back to our hometown and making the relationship right would be very costly in terms of time and effort, yet Jesus says it is worth it. Why do you think this is the case?
What is the second illustration offered by Jesus? Jesus offers a practical tip: settle matters whenever possible. In our desire for justice or to prove ourselves right, we might drag out a battle. In doing so, we run the risk of things ending poorly for us. Wilkins notes that Jesus calls us to “seek the kind of reconciliation that creates friendship out of adversarial relationships.”
Has there been a relationship with another person that was damaged or hurt by an offense that you committed against them? Has there been a relationship that has been damaged or destroyed by how someone has hurt you? How can you apply these verses into those situations? What would it look like for you to enact them in your life?