Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Matthew 5:21-22 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 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 SPEAKS ABOUT ANGER
The Pharisees figured since they hadn't murdered anyone with their own hands, they had kept the fifth commandment. Jesus blew that idea away. He says that anyone guilty of sinful anger is also guilty of murder.
Jesus isn't talking about "righteous anger" here. Righteous anger is being upset because something is being done that is morally wrong. The feeling you get when you see a bully picking on a defenseless victim--that's righteous anger. The feeling you get when you see pictures of aborted babies--that's righteous anger. Jesus isn't talking about that. Here He's talking about sinful anger. Anger that might reveal itself with a bad word or two directed at the person you're angry with. Anger that might be held onto in the form of a grudge.
Years after the apostle John heard Jesus preach the Sermon on the Mount, he wrote this in his first letter, "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him" (1 John 3:15).
Ever call someone a bad name in anger? Moron. Idiot. Retard. Ever call someone a name like that? Maybe not to his face, but to someone else? Jesus says that you have committed murder.
We are all guilty of sinful anger, guilty of murder. But on the cross, Jesus paid off our debt of sin. Our murders were transfered to His soul, and by His suffering He paid off our sin debt to the last penny. Because of Jesus, you and I are no longer in danger of judgment and the fires of hell. In Christ we are forgiven, even for murder.
