When It's Time to Leave Worship - Matthew 5:21-26

Murder

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 

Jesus now goes to teach the disciples about the "Spirit" of the law.  The scribes and Pharisees added many interpetations to the original law of Moses, and over time it lost much of its meaning.  Sometimes they added to the law by making exceptions, and at other times they added to law laying on additional burdens that they themselves did not keep.  

When Jesus says, "You have heard it said", he is referring to the various interpretations of the scribes and Pharisees.  The people were reliant on these teachers and were probably not aware of their changes. Technically when he says "murderers are subject to judgment" it added on to the basic commandment "thou shall not murder".  The leaders established special courts to try murderers and instituted capital punishment in methods like "stoning" or "strangling"." 

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

But I say unto you - Jesus being God as well as man John 1:1, John 1:14, and therefore, being the original giver of the law, had a right to expound it or change it as he pleased. Compare Matthew 12:6, Matthew 12:8. He therefore spoke here and elsewhere as having authority, and not as the scribes (Barnes)

Jesus picks up on the same word judgment, and applies it to someone who is angry with a brother or sister.  It is not the same judgment the Pharisees set up,

Jesus emphasized that the law condemns both, without saying that the law says they are the same things. The laws of the people could only deal with the outward act of murder, but Jesus declared that His followers understood that God’s morality addressed not only the end but also the beginning of murder. Guzik

Jesus then goes even deeper saying, "Anyone who calls their brother "raca" (which means basically means an idiot or a numbskull) is answerable to the court." The court was the Sanhedrin made up of 70 Jewish elders.  When someone says "you fool" (an even stronger word which is express contempt of the person) it is even a more grievous offense

It is important to understand the word used for "fire of hell". There is the term "hades", which means "sheol", the place of the dead. It was a more mystical word that could be connected with the future hell of unbelievers at the return of Christ.  Where the word used here is "Gehenna", which was a specific place which had a lot of history of the Jews.  Literally the word means "valley of Hinnom", which was a place where children were sacrificed to the god Molech. Listen to these chilling words about this abhorrent practice, 

"In that worship, the ancient Jewish writers inform us, the idol of Moloch was of brass, adorned with a royal crown, having the head of a calf, and his arms extended as if to embrace anyone. When they offered children to him they heated the statue within by a great fire, and when it was burning hot they put the miserable child into his arms, where it was soon consumed." (Barnes)

The bottom line was the person guilty of the second offense was in for worse judgment than the first.  Jesus is using "hyperbole" here, to illustrate that destructive anger is similar and in the same spirit of murder. Though they are different acts, the spirit which fuels both are the same

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 

As the result of be guilty of the previous offenses, a pious Jews would go and make an offering at the altar.  But it was also a time to examine one's life and specifically the committed offense.

"That is the right time for recollection and self-scrutiny. The worshipper is to ask himself, not whether he has a ground of complaint against any one, but whether any one has cause of complaint against him. This, and not the other, is the right question at such a moment—has he injured his neighbour by act, or spoken bitter words of him?" (Ellicott)

24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

One can see how important this principle is to Jesus.  Rather than stay in worship, which is important to him too, go and seek reconciliation for your broken relationship.  We have vertical relationship with God when we worship, but our horinzontal relationsips with other is part and part of it. 

"First be reconciled to thy brother: use all means to reconcile him; acknowledge the offence; ask his pardon; assure him that thou wishest well to him, and not ill;and then come and offer thy gift, by putting it on the altar, before which it was left. This shows, that acts of love and friendship are preferable to sacrifices; and that sacrifices offered up in wrath, and whilst unreconciled to others, are unacceptable to God, and of no avail." (Gill)

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. 

This seems like common sense, but often our pride prevents us from admitting we are wrong.  But the result of pride can be costly.  In this case the man is thrown into prison for not reconciling with his brother.  It is clear here that this is not a false charge but a valid offense. This also reinforces from a practical sense why Jesus taught one should reconcile sooner than later.  The sooner you approach someone have sinned against the better, though we often procrastinate doing this. 

26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. 

The result of disregarding the true meaning of the 5th commandment, is that you will pay the price in the end.  

When you reflect on our world, how much pain and misery would be avoided if we heeded Jesus' words?  How many relationships would be healed rather than forever fractured? How less time and money would people spend in court with lawsuits, divorce hearings and child custody arrangements.  I realize things are not always that simple, but the wisdom Jesus gives us today will make our lives more meaningful, and we can offer our gifts to God free of a guilty conscience. 

When and how does your anger get you in trouble? Do you have a hard time admitting when you are wrong?  What are the consequences of this type of prideful behavior? Is there anyone you need to reconcile with today?  

It takes courage to admit when you are wrong and go to the person you have harmed, but it is always worth it!