Friday, March 14, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Matthew 5
Matthew 5 contains some of Jesus’ most difficult teachings. It begins with what we commonly call the Beatitudes: blessed are the poor in spirit, etc. These statements flip our understanding of how the world works. After those confusing statements, we read other teachings about the law, who we are to be as Christ followers, and how we are to treat other people.
Then we arrive at what must have been such a confusing verse, one that has always given me pause:
Matthew 5:23-24
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
In Jesus’ time, this sacrifice was more important than any other thing a Jewish believer was called to. Because their sins separated them from God, he had prescribed this sacrificial way of cleansing them. But Jesus taught to resolve the issues between each first. Relationships matter!
In fact, the two greatest commandments are about relationships. We are instructed to love God and love our neighbor! To love God is to love your neighbor, because your neighbor is also an object of God’s love (Matthew 22: 37-39).
If you have received God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then you and God are good! Jesus has taken all your sin on himself, and you need no longer concern yourself with it (except to not do it again!). It’s easy to love a God who loves us back unconditionally.
But your neighbor—well, that’s a different story, isn’t it? We’re all forced to interact with our neighbors, family members, colleagues, and teammates every day.
Sometimes, they’re difficult, some don’t think like you do, others don’t conduct their business as you would, and on and on. But Jesus says if one of them has something against you, it is more important for you to work that out than come to him with your gift of time, money, or talents. In fact, you should leave your gift, go straight to the person you have wronged, and do whatever you can to restore your relationship with them.
That act of courage becomes your sacrifice—and God will embrace it and you with all his heart!
Questions:
Who in your life is holding something against you? What can you do to make it right?
Next Steps:
In Romans 12:18 (NIV) Paul tells us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
When you have determined the “who,” ask God for guidance as you step into reconciliation. You must make the effort, but you are not responsible for the outcome. When we obey what God tells us to do, he is in charge of what happens next. Those are the thoughts I cling to when I try to reconcile with someone who has something against me. I can only do what I can do, but I can do it with a pure heart that desires reconciliation. Then God steps in and does the rest!
Prayer:
Father in heaven, I thank you for this hard teaching! I have seen you work through it so many times, and I am grateful! You work miracles when I come to you with a willing heart! Continue to work this truth in my life. May your Holy Spirit alert me each time I need to move toward someone in acknowledgement and repentance. In your beautiful, glorious name I pray, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
This post was written by Lauri White, an Oregon attendee, and a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.