Friday 06 March 2009

Background

Jesus really tried to inspire and push his listenersspiritually; of course, this was his job! This passage implies thatbeing reconciled with a family member is far more important thanjust the commandment:

"'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable tojudgement'" (verse 22).

But how can this be?

Jesus speaks the truth that best pleases God. To some extent, thispassage brings home the need to not appear as holy and righteouswhen your home life couldn't be further from the truth. Verse 24,above, best illustrates this. Before we can even think aboutbringing our gifts to God, we must sort out our home lives.

Charity begins at home.
Settle your differences.

"Court" refers to the Sanhedrin, which was the high court of theJews for all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the Law. InNew Testament times there were a total of 71 members. Under Romanjurisdiction the Sanhedrin was given a great deal of authority, butthey could not impose capital punishment.

So Jesus was trying to illustrate that those who think they areanswerable to the high court are wrong, as it is actually "the hellof fire" or eternal punishment that people should fear.

To Ponder

Is there someone in your life, or who used to bein your life who you don't speak to any more? Do you wish to sortout your differences? How could the above passage help you to dothis?

To what extent is it important to bereconciled?

Is there something/ an issue you need to resolvewith God? Could this Lent time be an opportunity to do this?