As we begin the new year, Converge churches and missionaries from around the globe will embark on 21 Days of Prayer. Join us on this prayer journey by reading the daily entries on Converge’s blog, or by downloading your free 21 Days of Prayer: Upside-down Kingdom guide (English/Spanish). In addition, you can share daily posts from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Thank you for joining us as we open 2022 in prayer together.
Day 5: Murder
Matthew 5:21-26
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.’ 22But 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.
23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
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. 26Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
The religious crowd in Jesus’ day were all about appearances. You could literally see how everyone ranked religiously by how they dressed. And this mindset went far beyond fashion. Behaviors of fasting, giving, prayer, worship, etc., were all put on display in such a way to impress one another and solidify the spiritual hierarchy of the people.
Jesus took their religious system and hierarchies and repeatedly broke them down. God isn’t concerned with appearances. Appearances are simply how we see one another. God is interested in our hearts, which is how he sees us.
In this teaching, Jesus gets to the heart of murder. The problem is not just the act of taking a life. The root is contempt within our hearts for another life. We might not commit the act of murder, but the seeds of murder have already begun to take root when we see another human being as “less than” we see ourselves. Then Jesus gets very practical. Before the seeds of bitterness or contempt ever have a chance to take root, reconcile with whomever it is you have fallen out with. And notice that Jesus isn’t just talking about those who we are upset with. He gives examples of somebody who has something against you or is taking you to court. Paul reiterates this when he writes we are to live at peace with everybody as far as it depends on us, whether we have been wronged, or we have been the ones who have done wrong.
Prayer
Father, is there anybody with whom I need to reconcile? Is there anybody I have seen as “less than?” Forgive me for the seeds of murder I have allowed to take root in my heart. Equipped with your forgiveness, your patience and your love, help me to extend that same grace to those I have fallen out with. Give me wisdom to know if there are any steps I need to take to make those relationships right. And give me the courage to take those steps. Amen.
