Murder Begins In The Heart
5:21-26
Jesus begins each of these topics with some variation of “you have heard that it was said”. He is referring to teachers in Jesus’ time. Jesus shows, on his own authority, that his interpretations of the Old Testament are correct and deeper than those of the contemporary teacher.
He was not critiquing the Old Testament, but the understanding of the Old Testament that was common at the time. Remember, he said he did not come to abolish the law. Rather, he wanted to show the ultimate meaning of it.
First, he discusses murder, saying it will bring a person under judgment. (21) The law clearly forbids murder. Exodus 20:13 simply says “you shall not murder”. God made men and women in his image. (Genesis 1:27; 9:6) Whoever ends the life of a man or woman is accountable to God with his life. God delegated the punishment to mankind: “Whoever shed the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed”. (Genesis 9:6)
Jesus, however, takes it further. He goes to the attitude of the heart. He says one who is angry with his brother is liable to judgment, as is one who insults his brother or calls him a fool. (22)
Who qualifies as a brother? The term “brother” here means a fellow believer or disciple. (Matthew 12:46-50)
This sermon is Jesus teaching about the kingdom and how kingdom citizens should live and act. So, Jesus is saying anger should not exist among believers.
John follows up on this by writing “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1John 4:7-8).
Then, Jesus gives two examples. First, he said If you go to the altar and there remember your brother has something against you, leave your offering, go and be reconciled to him. Making peace with your brother or sister is more important than the offering. After reconciling, you can return to the altar.
Applying that to the current day, we might say, when you attend the worship service and realize a brother or sister has something against you, get up and go to them and reconcile. Then you can return to worship.
Notice here it is not if you have something against a brother, but if he has something against you.
This actually happened to me. My pastor was preaching on this passage when God reminded me that I had spoken harshly to him in a meeting a couple of years before. I did not believe interrupting the service was appropriate, but after the service I came an apologized to him. He did not remember the incident, but graciously accepted my apology.
The second example is to make peace with your accuser before going to court. The idea is you have failed to repay a debt. The court will keep in jail until you pay all of the debt, which was the Jewish custom. I think this is a practical advice, but also a metaphor for judgment. Pay your debt, or settle your differences, before the judgment comes with its consequences.
Everyone knows murder is wrong. But, before you feel self righteous because you have not murdered, consider your anger and the obligation you have to those you have hurt or offended with it.
Adultery & Lust
5:27-30
The Old Testament commands us not to commit adultery. ()Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18) The teaching of the time focused on stealing another man’s wife. Jesus moves the focus to lust. Jesus said, even if you do not take another person’s spouse, you sin if you lust after a woman in your heart.
This is very relevant for our day. The invitations to lust are everywhere. Television, movies, and social media are full of pictures, particularly of women, designed to inspire lust.
It used to be said that women were not visually stimulated, but that has changed over the decades. Girls and women are now subjected to many images designed to inspire lust. Now there are “spicy” romance novels with graphic sex. There is pornography made especially for women.
What is the remedy? Jesus tells us to do whatever is necessary to combat lust. That is what he means by tearing out your eye or cutting off your hand. (29-30)
I found over the years that people are often not willing to do this. They will not get rid of devices they use to see porn, they will not get rid of internet or cable, or they will not cut off relationships that are inappropriate. When this happens, they remain defeated by sin.
So, do what it takes to resist sin. Remove the temptation if possible. Find someone to be an accountability partner. Pray for God’s strength to resist it.
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