Matthew 5:21-26
Key Verse: “So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24 CSB)
I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly enjoy conflict. I enjoy a good discussion or lively debate. But I find it difficult and awkward to be at odds with someone, especially a person who is important or close to me.
The problem though is that conflict in relationships is pretty much inevitable. It’s going to happen. As those who have been called by Jesus to be known for our love toward one another (John 13:35), it is especially important then that we learn to properly handle and resolve conflict when it does arise, for the sake of God’s kingdom.
The truth is that the state of our relationships with one another matters to God. He cares about where things stand between you and others. When conflict or disagreement arises, it is important to God that we seek to make peace and to pursue true reconciliation with one another.
To help illustrate the importance of this, Jesus points to the occasion when people would come to offer their gift on the altar in Jerusalem. Jewish law required that once a year every person travel to the Temple to deal with their sins before God. So people would travel, often for many days on foot or by donkey, from all over the known world to the Temple. They would bring with them a lamb or a bird of some sort. When they got to the altar, they would place their hand on the animal and confess their sins to the priest, Then the priest would kill the animal as a sacrifice, spill the blood and pronounce their sins forgiven. This was a big deal and an important event for those seeking to be faithful to God.
Notice then the impact of what Jesus is saying. “So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” Jesus is saying to the people that if they get to the front of the line after hours of waiting, and all of a sudden remember that there is a relationship in their life that hasn’t properly been dealt with, they need to step out of line and go make things right. Stop what you’re doing and go and deal with it right away. It takes priority!
Does it take priority? Does Jesus expect them to stop right in the middle of their act of worship in the Temple? The answer is yes. In verse 24, He uses the word “first.” The pursuit of reconciliation and peace with others is important to God that it takes precedence. Before you do anything else, Jesus wants you to deal with the hostility that you have in your heart toward the person or that the person has toward you. Go and make peace. Go and do your best to mend the relationship. Work it out. It takes priority!
Is there someone in your life who has something against you that needs to be resolved? Is there a person with whom you need to seek reconciliation? To the extent that it’s possible, God wants you to do your part to live at peace with those around you (Romans 12:18). What is the next step you can take today to make it right?
Prayer: God, your heart is one of reconciliation. This is why you sent your only Son Jesus Christ so that I could be reconciled to you. Please give me a heart that desires to do the same, to seek peace and reconciliation with others. Grant me the humility and courage to take the next step today. Amen.
