Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 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. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:23-26)
Today’s
passage is between the “You have heard it said” about murder and the
“You have heard it said” about adultery. The way it’s set up, it appears to be
part of the section on murder. Instead of murdering someone you’re at odds with
(even if the murder is only in your mind or attitude) you’re to work things out
with them, even if – especially if – they have a problem with you. You’re to do
that even if you’re in the middle of what is supposed to be one of the most
important, God-loving, God-fearing things you can do.
Furthermore, you’re to do so voluntarily. You’re to take responsibility for fixing the
situation, to be humble enough to admit your complicity in causing it. You aren’t
to wait until the person who has something against you to come to you, because
they may not come. They may prefer to wallow in their anger or to carry a grudge.
That’s their right, of course, but Jesus taught us to love and seek
reconciliation when we can.
So, rather
than waiting for someone to take one or the other (or both) of you by the ears
and force you to “kiss and make up,” we’re to take the initiative. Because if
someone forces you to do something, they won’t be satisfied with less
than what they demanded, even if the injured party is.
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