"You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, 'Don't kill any person.
And any person that kills will be judged.' But I tell you, don't be angry with another person.
Every person is your brother. If you are angry with other people, you will be judged.
And if you say bad things to another person, you will be judged by the Jewish council.
And if you call another person a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell."
-- Matthew 5:21-22 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
As religious people, it is so easy for us to feel pious and righteous when we hear of all the horrible things done in our world that are ungodly.
"Thankfully I'm not one of them!" we can smugly think to ourselves.
Jesus shatters all of our smugness.
He tells us that he wants our righteousness to exceed that of the Pharisees and Scribes.
He really means it.
The next several verses will drive this point home.
The character of heart described in the beatitudes is now demanded of disciples in our everyday lives.
There's no room for smugness when Jesus tells us that angry hatred, slanderous gossip, or shaming speech puts us in the same category as murderers.
His point?
Murder starts in the heart and works its way out.
These two actions are all part of the same continuum -- different by degree, not by kind.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
O Lord, purge from my heart all bitterness, hatred, and venomous anger.
Give me your Spirit of forgiveness and grace.
I want to be pure in heart and hold nothing against those you love.
Father, I don't want to poison my heart with the stains of Satan's tools of anger, judgmentalism, and disrespect.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
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