Reading Plan:
Matthew 5:21-26


Make It Right
Author: Gray Strickland


Family can be difficult. Marriage can be difficult. Parenting can be difficult. Friendship can be difficult. Why? Because we live in a world that is broken and tainted by sin. Are relationships rewarding? You bet! We were created for relationships, but healthy relationships require work! In our reading today, that is exactly what Jesus is talking about. This passage is known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” It was Jesus’ first big teaching moment, and our reading picks up fairly early in the teaching.

As I read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), I always like to put myself in the time and place they occurred. I like to imagine how I would have responded when hearing Jesus’ teachings for the first time. This passage is perfect for that! At this point in His sermon, He has talked about what it means to be blessed, what it means to be salt and light, and even His purpose in coming to earth. Jesus has already said some head-turning things like “blessed are those who mourn”; but nothing compared to the statement that He begins by saying, “You have heard it said...’You shall not murder.’” I imagine the crowd nodding their heads in agreement, maybe giving an “Amen” or a “Preach it!” Maybe they are murmuring something like, “Ok, ok, I like this guy.” But in what will become a norm for Jesus, he flips the script quickly on his listeners when he equates murder with being angry with someone (Matthew 5:21-22). I imagine a record-scratch-type moment. You know, when the music suddenly stops at a party. I imagine the nodding stopped and the “Amens” got quiet, and the crowd thought, “This is a joke, right?!” or “He’s not serious, is he?”

Jesus was making a point! Relationships are important! Not only that, but they also impact our relationship with our heavenly Father. In verses 23-24 Jesus commands us to make things right, to “go and be reconciled” before we try to worship God. Remember our reading from Monday, Romans 12:18, “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” That is exactly what Jesus is getting at! As Christ-followers, we are to do our part to make sure our relationships point people to Christ. When we do that, we not only honor God, but we also set our relationships up for success. What if the person doesn’t want to be “reconciled” to you? Well, we can never guarantee the outcome, but that is out of our control. Again, “as far as it depends on you.”

Healthy, God-honoring relationships require work and can be difficult, but if we applied this passage and took the lead on making relationships right, it would change our marriages, our families, our friendships, and ultimately our lives. If we applied this passage, not only would our relationships be better, but it would also make a world that is skeptical of Christianity lean in and become curious. We begin to show them a better way, the Jesus way.


Reflection & Response:

• Much of the reading this week has been about how we treat others. Often, we read those passages through the lens of what has been done to us. You know, who do we need to forgive? Today, Jesus says that we need to be mindful of those who we might have wronged and seek peace with them. Spend some time taking inventory of your relationships. Ask God to reveal any relationship in your life that needs reconciliation.
• If God shows you a relationship that needs to be reconciled, don't let this moment pass until you have written down your next step to make it right. Remember it doesn’t matter how they respond. You are only responsible for your side of the relationship.
  
  
  Family Application: Mountainside Message
  Author: Nichole McCardle
• Our reading today comes from the book of Matthew. In Matthew 5, Jesus goes onto a mountainside and begins teaching his disciples and a large crowd of followers. This is called the “Sermon on the Mount”. Jesus was teaching his followers how to live a life that pleases God. In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus teaches us that although, yes, physically hurting others is bad so is being angry with others. Jesus teaches us to practice forgiveness and kindness so that we can honor God and grow our relationships with each other.
• Jesus tells us to forgive each other. Is there anyone to who you should ask forgiveness because you have not treated them nicely? Is there anyone that hurt your feelings that you should forgive? We all have experienced God’s love and forgiveness, no matter what mistakes we have made. Because of that, we get to pass along grace and mercy to others!
• Anger is a natural emotion, but our actions that follow the emotion are very important. Make a list of helpful things you could do next time you feel angry (count to 10, pray, take deep breaths, take a walk, etc.)
• Prayer: God, you are so loving! Thank you for forgiving me even when I make mistakes! God, help me to go to You in prayer when I feel angry or upset. Amen.