When Jesus addressed the issue of murder and anger, He also included an interesting extension. Not only did Jesus say that being angry with someone was the equivalent of murder, and that denigrating someone by calling them names was also the equivalent, He then goes on to talk about what we should do when we remember we have offended someone.
Realize first that oftentimes we offend people without even realizing it. We’re deep in thought and not really paying attention and, inadvertently, we cut someone off in traffic. We take the last donut without thinking to ask if someone else wants it. We change the radio station even if someone else is listening to it. There are innumerable ways we can cause offense (even small annoyances) without realizing it because we are all too often lost in our own little worlds or we act without thinking first. If the offense is pointed out to us, we will quickly acknowledge the wrong and seek to make atonement for it.
Jesus is talking about a different circumstance in these few verses. He’s talking about a person who is at worship. The person has taken the time and effort to bring his or her offering to the altar. He or she is seeking to grow closer to God, seeking to build on experiencing the Lord.
While at the altar, the person recalls an offense that was made against someone. Jesus’ words are clear: If such an event should occur in our lives, then we have an obligation to make amends to the one we offended if we truly want to worship God. “First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24).
Jesus’ point is that we often express our relationship with God by the way we relate to those around us. He speaks of reconciliation, a ministry we are all called to (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21) and the need to live at peace with those around us—recalling the Beatitude of blessed are the peacemakers, those who actively seek not only to live at peace but also to promote peace. If we truly want to worship God and grow in our awareness of Him, we also need to be aware of our world and those who live in our world.
There is a popular criminal procedural show on television. The main character has a saying, “Never apologize. It’s a sign of weakness.” In these verses, Jesus lets us know that the act of apology is not a weakness, but a sign of our commitment to Him and a willingness to serve others. Far from a weakness, an attitude of acknowledging my wrongdoing is a sign of strength and spiritual awareness.
This issue of settling disagreements takes on a legal tone in vs. 25-26. Jesus speaks of settling disputes out of court. While I know He is speaking of disagreements between people, He is also addressing our relationship with God. We need to acknowledge our sinfulness and sins before God in a timely manner. Realize that the one who is wronged is always aware of the wrong, even if we are not. God is always aware of our sins. It does us no good to pretend they don’t exist. If we come to worship Him and there are confronted with our sinfulfness, we need to confess our sins and seek His forgiveness. Judgment does come, and that’s the point of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:25-26.
© 2020 Glynn Beaty