“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”
Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)
Therefore links this instruction to the teaching on murder, hate and name calling that illuminates God’s desire for His children to live in peace and harmony - in true love.
This is one of the hardest instructions to actually implement, for it has to do with what others have in their hearts towards us. How do I actually do this? How can I approach others about what they think of me? I have seen and experienced something similar at communion, I have experienced people confessing grudges they hold, seeking reconciliation, and surely that is the spirit of this instruction, but it is not the letter of this instruction. The letter of this instruction is to go to people you KNOW have something against you, and be reconciled. Our Lord makes the stakes clear in the verses that follow – He describes His disputing children as adversaries, and warns us that we don’t know if the LORD will find in their favour or ours- so the wise thing to do is be reconciled before God makes
His judgment.
Oh Lord Jesus- make us willing – to do the hard work of reconciling!
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