SOTM 15: Reconciling Relationships

21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' 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.


I don't think that "peace" is just something you say when you're done smoking your joint and it's time to go home. I'm not a hippie, but I am for peace. World peace. I think Christians should be on the front lines of social and political initiatives to help negotiate national grievances. But as Jesus continues to remind us, global reconciliation is futile as long as we still aren't talking with our next door neighbor. It reminds me of the movie "Traffic" where the U.S. National Drug Czar (played by Michael Douglass) works tirelessly to stop the flow of drugs from coming into the country but realizes the futility of his efforts in light of the fact that he can't even prevent his own daughter from becoming a heroin addict. It's a great lesson. Trying to stop the global drug trade is a good and right thing to do, but it's pointless if we don't start with some solid family values. Similarly, Jesus calls us to be reconciled to our brothers and sisters. He's so serious about it that he even says, don't come and worship me until you've got this taken care of. Why? Because we are making a mockery of what our relationship with God is supposed to do--bring reconciliation with others. If we truly love God, we will love others. And if we aren't loving others it's an indication that we aren't really loving God--so our worship would just be paying lip service.

It is crucial that we see the context in which this command comes. It falls on the heels of the beatitudes. Reconciling relationships almost always means seeking forgiveness, even if the other person was "meaner." It takes one who is poor in spirit, meek, mourning, etc. to face the humiliation often involved in seeking reconciliation. So if you have someone with whom you know things aren't right--go make it right. And if you find it difficult to do so, pray through the beatitudes again and ask God to break you.