(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)
Marriage, which brings two people closer together than any other earthly union, often highlights personal differences as well as personal imperfections, which can cause stress on the relationship. Nevertheless, marriage also has the potential for character development as two people learn to deal with stress in a productive manner, especially as it promotes conciliation.
In the course of Jesus' preaching and teaching, he addresses many issues.1 His Sermon on the Mount in Matt 5-7, for example, covers a wide range of topics, including advice for interpersonal relations.
* XLVI The Foremost Conciliation
...which is...
Jesus goes on to say that a person who has committed even the least of these offenses, such as expressing anger by insulting someone, must take the initiative to repair the damage he has caused to his relationship with the one he offended. That is certainly a reasonable expectation on Jesus' part. God's people should maintain good relations with others, especially with those in "the household of faith" (Gal 6:10b NAS). What is surprising is how Jesus measures the importance of that endeavor, stating it has precedence before God, priority even over making an offering to God.
Notice, though, that Jesus' statement, while unusual, is not completely open-ended, as is evident in two of the terms he uses.
While insulting someone is certainly bad manners, it is not a crime in most societies. Jesus treats it as if it were, complete with the punishment he thinks it warrants. Nevertheless, being "answerable to the Sanhedrin" or "in danger of the fire of hell" is hyperbole, exaggeration for effect. Neither Roman nor Jewish law criminalizes insults.8 Still, Jesus' language shows that this is no small matter to God and that His people must not treat it lightly.
What if the situation is reversed? Suppose you are not the offending party but the offended party. Must you wait for the offender to approach you? ...Jesus addresses that scenario later, in...
Note that in both situations, Jesus places the onus on the same person—you. Whether or not you cause the problem, God expects you to take the initiative and correct the problem. You must approach the other party and seek reconciliation. Do not wait for him to come to you. By the same token, do not make a mountain out of a molehill. Do not give offense or take offense over trivial issues. Here, as well, the onus is on you.
In the second situation, where you are exposing another's faults,9 you are not to be silent about things that matter, but you must avoid unfounded charges, and the scriptures offer a consistent warning against improper criticism.
How important is reconciling with a fellow believer? ...Not only is it a priority, it is pressing. That is, it is not something to postpone for a more convenient opportunity. Jesus says, if you are "at the altar," about to present your offering and, at that moment, you remember there is an unresolved problem with your brother, stop what you are doing...
This may seem odd, even contradictory to the proper order of things. How is a conversation with someone else more important than an offering to God? ...It is when the one act is obligatory and the other act is optional. God spelled out in considerable detail what He requires for relationships within the covenant community. For example, we read in Lev 19...13
In contrast, God indicates what He recommends to His people in the form of gifts.14 For example, we read in...
Jesus is distinguishing between what a person must do, because God commands it, and what a person may do, because God merely commends it (so also Nolland 2005:232).15 Offering a gift to God is something He recommends; maintaining good relations with a fellow believer is something He requires. Jesus does not advocate one instead of the other. Both are important, but one has priority.16
As far as I can tell, we are doing fairly well with that in this congregation. Keep up the good work, because The Foremost Conciliation has precedence before God.
Having considered The Foremost Conciliation, we will look next at The Foremost Conversation, and the posture Jesus adopts as he prays in Matt 26:39.
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
Steve wanted a boat more than anything. His wife Sue kept refusing, but he bought one anyway. (Big mistake.) "I'll tell you what," he said to her. "In the spirit of conciliation, why don't you name the boat?" Being a good sport and realizing the limit of her influence in this matter, she accepted. When Steve went to the dock for the maiden voyage, he saw the name painted on the side in bright, bold letters... "For Sale."It is important that we learn to deal with stress in a productive manner, whether in a marriage or in a less formal relationship. That is what Jesus advocates in his instruction about The Foremost Conciliation.
In the course of Jesus' preaching and teaching, he addresses many issues.1 His Sermon on the Mount in Matt 5-7, for example, covers a wide range of topics, including advice for interpersonal relations.
- Matt 5:9a Blessed are the peacemakers....
- Matt 5:39b If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- Matt 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
- Matt 7:12a ...in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you....
* XLVI The Foremost Conciliation
...which is...
- The precedence before God (Matt 5:2324)2
Matt 5:23 ...if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.This passage follows the first of several Old Testament quotes in the sermon that some people in the first century have disregarded or distorted,3 quotes Jesus uses in this chapter to introduce his opinion about matters that are generating some disagreement. It starts in v. 21 with a citation from the Decalogue.
Matt 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.Jesus' point here (and later in the chapter) is that many people view the commandments more narrowly than God intends. They hold to the letter of the law but not to the spirit of what He requires. While the Lord does condemn homicide (voluntary manslaughter),4 He does not condone acts just short of that heinous crime, behavior less severe but still sinful, like expressing anger by insulting someone. Both extremes are subject to some degree of judgment, not the same degree but some degree.5
Jesus goes on to say that a person who has committed even the least of these offenses, such as expressing anger by insulting someone, must take the initiative to repair the damage he has caused to his relationship with the one he offended. That is certainly a reasonable expectation on Jesus' part. God's people should maintain good relations with others, especially with those in "the household of faith" (Gal 6:10b NAS). What is surprising is how Jesus measures the importance of that endeavor, stating it has precedence before God, priority even over making an offering to God.
Notice, though, that Jesus' statement, while unusual, is not completely open-ended, as is evident in two of the terms he uses.
- First, his reference to "your brother" is not just to anyone; it is a designation in scripture that refers specifically to another of God's people, a fellow member of the covenant community,6
- Second, his reference to "your gift" is not to one of the obligatory sacrifices, like the sin or guilt offering, which should not be postponed, but to an optional one, like the freewill offering, which one can bring at any time.
1. Your offering must include a review of relationships with others....to determine if you have insulted any fellow believers.7 If you have, then...
2. Your offering must include a repair of relationships with others.Once you are aware of a problem, you must do your best to rectify it. A person is angry because of something you said, and that something has made you guilty of breaking the sixth commandment (of the Decalogue) as well as liable for punishment, and it is better to fix that problem sooner rather than later.
While insulting someone is certainly bad manners, it is not a crime in most societies. Jesus treats it as if it were, complete with the punishment he thinks it warrants. Nevertheless, being "answerable to the Sanhedrin" or "in danger of the fire of hell" is hyperbole, exaggeration for effect. Neither Roman nor Jewish law criminalizes insults.8 Still, Jesus' language shows that this is no small matter to God and that His people must not treat it lightly.
What if the situation is reversed? Suppose you are not the offending party but the offended party. Must you wait for the offender to approach you? ...Jesus addresses that scenario later, in...
Matt 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.Here as well, the term "your brother" refers specifically to another member of the covenant community. In this case, the individual who experienced the damage must take the initiative to repair the damage.
Note that in both situations, Jesus places the onus on the same person—you. Whether or not you cause the problem, God expects you to take the initiative and correct the problem. You must approach the other party and seek reconciliation. Do not wait for him to come to you. By the same token, do not make a mountain out of a molehill. Do not give offense or take offense over trivial issues. Here, as well, the onus is on you.
In the second situation, where you are exposing another's faults,9 you are not to be silent about things that matter, but you must avoid unfounded charges, and the scriptures offer a consistent warning against improper criticism.
- God says in...
Lev 19:15 ...do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
- Moses says in...
Deut 1:17a Do not show partiality in judging....
- Jesus says in...
John 7:24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.
- Paul says in...10
You must avoid criticism that is careless and superficial, often hurried—snap judgments that may turn out to be wrong or wrongly motivated. This does not mean you are to be silent, but you must apply criticism that is careful and studied, basing your evaluation on the standard God has revealed in His word.11 While you are not to gloss over wrongdoing,12 most situations in the church call for you to be judicious and cautious (rather than judgmental and condemnatory).Rom 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
How important is reconciling with a fellow believer? ...Not only is it a priority, it is pressing. That is, it is not something to postpone for a more convenient opportunity. Jesus says, if you are "at the altar," about to present your offering and, at that moment, you remember there is an unresolved problem with your brother, stop what you are doing...
- Even if you have been traveling all day and just want to get back home...
- Even if you have been waiting in line, and it is finally your turn...
- Even if you have other things planned once you present your offering.
This may seem odd, even contradictory to the proper order of things. How is a conversation with someone else more important than an offering to God? ...It is when the one act is obligatory and the other act is optional. God spelled out in considerable detail what He requires for relationships within the covenant community. For example, we read in Lev 19...13
Lev 19:1 ic Do not deceive one another.... 13a Do not defraud your neighbor.... 15c ...judge your neighbor fairly.... 16b Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life.... 17a Do not hate your brother in your heart.... 18a-b Do not...bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.This is what God requires from His people.
In contrast, God indicates what He recommends to His people in the form of gifts.14 For example, we read in...
Exod 35:29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
Num 5:10a Each man's sacred gifts are his own....
Deut 16:10 ...celebrate the Feast of Weeks...by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.This is what God recommends to His people, not for the obligatory offerings but for the optional ones.
Jesus is distinguishing between what a person must do, because God commands it, and what a person may do, because God merely commends it (so also Nolland 2005:232).15 Offering a gift to God is something He recommends; maintaining good relations with a fellow believer is something He requires. Jesus does not advocate one instead of the other. Both are important, but one has priority.16
Matt 5:24b First...be reconciled to your brother; then...offer your gift.The temple is no longer standing, and you will not be making any offerings at the altar, so the first part of Jesus' admonition does not obtain. The believing community is still here, though, so the second part of Jesus' admonition does obtain, and you have to maintain good relations with others.
As far as I can tell, we are doing fairly well with that in this congregation. Keep up the good work, because The Foremost Conciliation has precedence before God.
Having considered The Foremost Conciliation, we will look next at The Foremost Conversation, and the posture Jesus adopts as he prays in Matt 26:39.
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Relevant and civil comments are welcome. Whether there will be any response depends on whether Dr. Manuel notices them and has the time and inclination to respond or, if not, whether I feel competent to do so.
Jim Skaggs