Matthew 5:21-26 Anger = Murder???

Matthew 5:21-26

New International Version (NIV)

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] 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, ²⁴ leave 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. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Daniel’s Thoughts:

This is the passage for InterVarsity Bible Studies the past two weeks. I am going to do something different and only ask questions now. These questions will help guide the bible study at Red Rocks community College that I will be leading this Thursday. For some of the questions I believe that I know the answer to, but I think it is helpful to ask the questions and really think through the passage without my usual assuming attitude. I pray that God would answer my questions and yours. Also feel free to comment with your own questions, thoughts or answers.

1.    Who is the Jesus speaking to?

2.    From where and how have the people heard that the quote in v 21 was said?

3.    Why was this command given first differently?

4.    Why does Jesus give us a new understanding of the command?

a.    Why then?

b.    Why does he have the authority to do so?

5.    What is judgment?

6.    Does God get angry? Did Jesus get angry?

7.    If God gets angry then why do we face judgment for getting angry?

8.    What is the difference between Raca and you fool. Why are the punishments different?

9.    What does it mean to seek reconciliation?

10.  Why should we first reconcile with our brother or sister before coming to God?

11.  What if the other person is the one who did something wrong? Do I still need to seek reconciliation even if they are not?

12.  How do we live apply this lesson to our lives?

13.  How can we follow this command with this added meaning?

14.  Can we ever truly follow this? If not then what? Why did Jesus say this? What do we do?

Daniel’s Prayer:

Lord

God

I don’t understand.

You have called us to live a different life

A hard life

I have many questions and doubts.

But I trust you.

Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

We can never live up to all of this

Not on our own

But you live in us and change us

From the inside out.

Change my heart.

Teach me to love

Teach me patience

Teach me wisdom

Take away my anger.

Amen

Matthew 27:1-31 pt 1 We betray and mock Jesus

Matthew 27:1-31 pt 1 We betray and mock Jesus

New International Version (NIV)

Judas Hangs Himself

 ¹ Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed.² So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

 ³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

   “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

 ⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Jesus Before Pilate

 ¹² When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” ¹⁴ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

 ²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

   “Barabbas,” they answered.

 ²² “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

   They all answered, “Crucify him!”

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

 ²⁷ Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. ²⁸ They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. ³⁰ They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. ³¹ After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Daniel’s Thoughts:

I split this chapter into parts because there is so much that happens. In this first part all are betraying Jesus. Judas his disciple betrayed him for 30 silver coins. The leaders of Israel bring false testimony against Jesus. The soldiers mock Jesus ironically for being the King of the Jews! As the word says

Psalm 14:3 ³ All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

I wish I could say that I would never betray Jesus, but I have and I still do as I sin. Often I do so in ignorance, but sometimes I willingly do the wrong that I know.

I have betrayed Jesus personally.

The western culture and church is very personal and focused on personal sin and salvation. But I think we miss out on the communal nature of our sin. We as a society allow and perpetuate sins such as poverty, inequality, and hypocrisy. That is hard to admit, but it still does not feel close to home. But as InterVarsity honestly I can say we fail to love some groups as well as others and even hold some judgment in our heart. We have betrayed and disowned Jesus by failing to live out his call to his church and us his followers.

But we go further, not only do we betray him but we even disown and mock Jesus. We do not acknowledge him as Lord of Lords and Lord of our lives. We make money and success our priorities in effect saying they are greater than our Lord and Savior by which all things were created. We are mocking Jesus!

Daniel’s Prayer:

Jesus

I have betrayed you.

I have disowned you.

I have mocked you.

We as your followers have:

Turned from you

Allowed and perpetuated brokenness and injustice

We your church have been hypocritical

Those you love have been hurt by us your people

Pursued wealth, success and our desires

Above you

Yet you still love us

You have been betrayed, mocked, scorned

You carry all of that yet forgive and love us!

Jesus you carry it all for us!

There is nothing we can do to thank you or earn your love!

Amen