“… but I say to you”
Matt. 5:21-26
Let me set the stage for the longest and most encompassing sermon Jesus ever preached. After the 40 day wilderness temptation Jesus emerged in Spirit-power ready to begin His 3 year ministry loving and caring for people. He chose His twelve closest disciples (learners), called them apostles (sent ones), and began by teaching, preaching, healing, and delivering great crowds who came from all over the region needing God’s help. His example for the apostles was a framework of love and care toward people, but as the hard-hearted religious leaders watched Him break the Sabbath law by healing, their fury led them to devise a plan to destroy Him.
Jesus’ beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12) launched this teaching of God’s perspective on how to treat people, focusing not on the rules but on relationships with others, beginning with that emotional culprit: anger. Anger in itself isn’t sin, even Jesus got angry, however, what you do with your anger is the problem because it breaks relationships.
The sixth commandment literally means ‘do not murder’ in fear of judgment, “but I (Jesus) say to you …” even when you get angry, don’t insult, slander, or curse people due to your relationship to God; He holds you accountable. Jesus clearly equates murder with anger giving us the deeper meaning or broader scope of maintaining our relationships. He used the example of presenting a gift at the altar as the lower or physical story but, for a Christian, the altar is being in the presence of God in prayer: the upper or spiritual story. The endgame with God is always reconciliation, even if it’s someone else’s offense against you! Wait … what? Yes, you may not be angry at someone but they’re angry at you and you know it. Doesn’t seem fair, does it? Here’s why it may be fair from Jesus’ viewpoint.
He values reconciliation, settling differences quickly, and walking in integrity. Therefore, changing your perspective about someone, being willing to make mutual concessions, even agreeing to disagree may be necessary. Look at what happened in the parable of the unforgiving servant from Matt. 18:21-25. Out of mercy the master forgave his servant’s unpayable debt when begged for forgiveness, however, that same servant turned around and refused to forgive another servant’s debt to him of like ten bucks. The forgiven servant (like you and me) had that man thrown into prison until the debt was paid which, by the way, landed him the same judgment from the master. The moral of the story is when you appreciate the mercy of God toward your sin, you learn to show mercy to others. Both men ended up in literal prison, for us, it’s a spiritual prison, which seems to be why Jesus stressed quickly reconciling with those who have something against you and those you are angry with as well.
The letter of the law says don’t literally murder ‘but I say to you …’ means keep the spirit of the law: walk in forgiveness.
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