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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We come to Matthew Chapter 5 and Verse 21. So we can sit back and think – we are all right on this one – we have not murdered – we have not criminally killed anyone – but, Jesus takes it further. What have your thoughts been – your attitudes – has there been a wrong type of anger in your hearts?
If you say RACA – calling someone a blockhead – or some other seriously negative term – it is this that Jesus is speaking about, as Jesus goes to the heart of the problem – referring to an ill spoken or harsh word. We can refer to someone as a moron, or imbecile, or brainless idiot. Jesus is speaking about the word used to describe contempt for a person’s heart or character, and this is serious.
v.23,24. Our hearts can affect our worship. That is why we need to be cleansed.
That can be an embarrassing thing to do. Imagine the scenario where ‘communion’ is about to be served, and you just remember something you have said something to someone, of which you may be ashamed, and which you know to be wrong, and you get up and leave, and go and put it right. This is very different from slaughtering goats and bulls, but costly in a different way.
Settle important matters, wherever possible, before you worship. Now, is Jesus not exceedingly radical here?
v.25,26. Put things right quickly. Nip things in the bud. Do not allow a root of bitterness to grow and spread. As Jesus speaks here, we are only too aware of how situations can grow and develop quickly.
Our pride can be hurt, and out can come verbal murder. Jesus can deal with that. There is an enemy who comes and sows bitter thoughts, and reminds us of past habits. Jesus can deal with that. There can be lurking around in people a deep seated anger, because of something that may have been said or done years ago, and there is an anger seething away inside, and we need to remember that when we are talking with certain people.
The word used for angry and anger here refers to that long lived anger – or that long lasting anger – that anger that broods and refuses to be pacified – and which seems to look for an opportunity for revenge! Angry feelings may not be able to be examined in a human law court, but we are accountable and answerable in the court of heaven, as we stand before Almighty God. Jesus sees anger as a possible root for murder.
It has been suggested that anger is like dry rot. Once it gets a hold, it can move quickly. Angry feelings can lead a man down road he never initially intended travelling.
Jesus is about to minister a radical heart surgery and deal with our heart troubles. He sets extraordinarily high standards in these passages.
King David knew all about this type of ministry. He had to have heart issues dealt with time and time again, because he got into bother time and time again. So did Peter, and so did Paul.
Heart surgery is a deep matter, but Jesus deals with these issues so that we may be healed, and so that we may be able to serve as He would have us serve.
There is a solemnity about what Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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