09.01.10 “How does God feel about our anger?”
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:21-24
21″You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,[c]‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23″Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
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Reflection Questions
Matthew chapter five is the first of three chapters dedicated to what is commonly referred to as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this section we find Jesus reinterpreting the law originally given to the Israelite people. Consistently, Jesus teaches that our outward expression is a reflection of our inward intention.
- In these verses Jesus addresses our inward intention by talking about anger. Do you think anger is always bad? Do you think we can make a distinction between anger that seeks to protect others and anger that seeks to cause harm to others?
- Jesus says to leave your offering at the altar if there is a brother who has something against you. How do you think God feels about our conflict with others? Why would Jesus recommend that reconciliation with a brother needs to precede reconciliation with God?
Weekly Prayer
God, we confess to you that we sometimes find it easier to love you than we do our neighbor. We struggle with forgiveness. We wrestle with letting go. We forget that grace received should always lead to grace shared. Forgive us, God, for this sin and inspire us to see our neighbor through your eyes. Thank you, God, for loving each of us in spite of these, our sins. Help us to love like you love. AMEN.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.