Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
Up to this point in our Series on the Sermon on the Mount, we have looked at the introduction of Jesus’ message. Jesus taught us the basic principles of the Kingdom of Heaven in conjunction with our salvation when we realize our poorness of spirit. At that point, we begin to mourn over our sinfulness, which leads to meekness, and an increase in hunger and thirst for righteousness. And as Christ’s righteousness grows within us we begin to emulate the very character of Christ within us, even as the world hates us. But in this corrupt, dark world we act as the influencers over the world’s decay and darkness.
Jesus concludes his introduction by teaching about his relationship to the law. This was important because of his audience, the Jews, who had been taught the Law all their lives. Jesus explains that he did not come to abolish the Law, but rather fulfill it. In doing so, he is transitioning to a series of lessons that begin with the words, “You have heard it said.” What he is referring to is the traditions of the law. Jesus is now going to give clarity to the heart of the law and rather than lowering the bar of the Law’s standards, he raises it.
“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be guilty before the court.’ 22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last quadrans. (Matthew 5:21–26 LSB)
A Matter of the Heart
Jesus begins this section with an issue of the highest level: Murder. For God, next to our relationship with Him, the issue of our relationships with each other is a top priority and there is no greater abomination to the human relationship than taking someone else’s life. Murder is nothing new. It is as old as society.
In recent news, we hear of mass murders. The gender-confused woman entered a Christian school in Tennessee and killed three children and three school employees. A man in Kentucky shoots 5 people in the bank he previously worked. Then there are heart-wrenching stories of children being killed at the hands of their parents. Domestic violence, street gangs, terrorism, the occult, and a myriad of other reasons plague the human heart to take the life of another person. In 2020, the United States saw a 28.64% increase in homicides (Source: FBI).
People want to blame guns, race, religion, and all sorts of issues. The truth is murder comes down to 1 thing: the human heart. This was the point of Jesus’ message we are reading today. The Pharisees taught in the synagogues that as long as you don’t kill someone, you are not in violation of the 6th Commandment, Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.” Jesus sets the standard higher. And it is not as if he is changing the standard, but instead, he is expounding the standard behind the Law that God gave to Moses.
Cain was the first biblical record of murder (Genesis 9:6). Jesus identifies Satan as a murderer (John 8:44). Murder is an issue of the untamed and unregenerate flesh of man (Galatians 5:21). What the Pharisees taught and what society teaches us that the outward action of murder is the standard. However, murder, robbery, rape, or whatever you want to identify here does not happen because of a decay in society or a lack of laws. Those things can sway the crimes but these things happen because of a degenerate human heart swayed by Satan.
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. (Genesis 9:6 LSB)
“If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him by deceit, you shall take him even from My altar, that he may die. (Exodus 21:14)
Now Jesus comes to the heart of the matter: Matthew 5:22 “22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”
“What a King is ours, who stretches his scepter over the realm of our inward lusts! How sovereignly he puts it: ‘But, I say unto you’! Who but a divine being has the authority to speak in this fashion? His word is the law. So it ought to be, seeing he touches vice at the fountainhead, and forbids uncleanness in the heart.” (Spurgeon)
The full interpretation of the 6th commandment isn’t just about the act of killing someone, but the condition of the heart that leads to murder. Anger is the root of murder. So Jesus very pointedly and clearly says, if you have unrighteous, unreconciled anger with someone you are already guilty of murder.
This ties directly back to the Beatitudes in verse 5 when Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the meek.’ That is the core character of the believer. Not being constantly angry, not seeking revenge, or being puffed up and entitled to your ‘rights.’ If you think about it, this is the image Jesus used to describe of the world in verses 10-12. The world persecutes and seeks revenge, not the believer or the Church.
“Cease from anger and forsake wrath;” (Psalm 37:8)
James 1:19-20 “Know this, my beloved brothers. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”
The word ‘Raca’ Jesus uses in verse 22 is hard to interpret. It is a term of derision with malicious intent. Some have said it to mean ‘brainless idiot’ or ‘empty-headed.’ We really don’t know other than it’s a verbal expression of slander against someone. Likewise, ‘fool’ in verse 22 is µ???? (moros), which is where we get our word “moron” from. Paul uses this word in Romans 1:29 to describe someone with a debased mind.
The heart of Jesus’ teaching here is we have such a hatred for someone we wish them dead. I think it is behind the idea of ‘cancel culture.’ In recent news, we’ve seen how the left is going after former President Trump to silence or hinder his future ability to run as president. We see this with people who refuse to go along with the LGBTQ agenda, Hollywood, or other liberal agendas. In Canada, Pastor Derek Reimer is arrested again for protesting drag queen shows for children. We see it all the time and we harbor feelings of ill intent for those we wish were not around. Jesus said this is the same as murder in your heart.
“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15)
“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
The notion of our day, especially in the church, is that it is ok to ‘feel’ a certain way, so as long as you don’t act on it. We’ll talk about that more next week when we talk about adultery, but that is a false teaching that stands in complete contradiction to what Jesus is teaching us here. What God desires is for us to deal with the sin that is in our hearts as much as the sin of our actions.
Types of Anger
When our minds and our emotions swell with anger, there needs to be a vent for that anger. Most of the time we deal with that in an unhealthy way. There is anger that results in rage like an eruption and there is anger that is harbored in our hearts.
1. Rage
Rage is uncontrolled anger and violates the essence of godly self-control. When things do not go our way, we erupt like a volcano.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. (Psalm 37:8 LSB)
But now you also, lay them all aside: wrath, anger, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. (Colossians 3:8 LSB)
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19–21 LSB)
2. Resentment
Do not be eager in your spirit to be vexed, For vexation rests in the bosom of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9 LSB)
Resentment is called “frozen rage.” It says, “I’m angry, but I’m not going to let you see me angry.” It is the root of unforgiveness. (Bill Prater, Sermon Central)
So, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you. (Colossians 3:12–13 LSB)
Know this, my beloved brothers. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. (James 1:19–20 LSB)
3. Righteous indignation
There are times when godly anger is justified. It is an appropriate, but measured response against evil in order to protect what is right and just. Righteous indignation does not permit apathy toward evil.
God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day. (Psalm 7:11 LSB)
The north wind brings forth rain, And a tongue of secrets, an indignant face. (Proverbs 25:23 LSB)
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER’; but you are making it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” (Matthew 21:12–13 LSB)
Anger in the Church
“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. (Matthew 5:23–24 LSB)
Church growth expert Lyle Schaller says that on a given day, 3/4 of all church ministry is significantly reduced because of nonproductive and destructive conflict and the average pastor spends 20% of his time dealing with conflict (Sermon Central: Paul Fritz). The reason is that people at church are terrible at resolving conflict. Dealing with conflict is never easy, but Jesus tells us that it must be a priority and dealt with swiftly to the degree that it will hinder the church's work and our ability to worship.
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is Christ, (Ephesians 4:15 LSB)
John Maxwell says there are three types of people when it comes to sharing the truth:
Hiders - They don’t share the truth
Hurlers - They share the truth, but not in love
Healers - They share the truth in love (Sermon Central: Jeffery Anselmi)
You must be a peacemaker when it comes to your brethren. I want Crossway to be a place where we treasure the community of each other so much, especially in our time of worship, that we will not let anything, including a disagreement, destroy our unity and our worship. I don’t care who that person is, go and make it right. Seek out reconciliation.
Reconciliation is a commission from God that is available to every obedient Christian today and that is to be a peacemaker. Argument and discord are a great waste of energies better spent on more productive activities. Nothing wears men and hardens hearts like that of strife. Peacemaking is to be the character of the children of God and the church
The Priority of Reconciliation
Reconciliation with our brother is not only a priority, it is a matter of urgency because it affects our relationship with God. Did you see that Jesus’ instruction places the onus upon us to seek out reconciliation?
Psalm 66:18 “If I see wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;”
Jer 7:9 “Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear while lying, and burn incense to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known,”
Then come and stand before God and act like everything is fine. Jesus said that if we are harboring anger against our brother, God is not interested in our worship. It’s a sham to Him to hear the praise from a believer who hates another.
Isaiah 1:11–13 LSB
11 “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says Yahweh. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats I take no pleasure. 12 “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? 13 “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of convocation— I cannot endure wickedness and the solemn assembly.
Here are some important considerations when seeking reconciliation
Be honest with yourself first. Make sure your desire to do what pleases God and not to get revenge
Be humble in your attitude. Setting aside pride is vital. Realize that you are not entitled to anything. Reconciliation is a matter of forgiveness and your relationship with God
Be prayerful for the person you are reconciling with and the situation.
Be willing to admit your contribution to the situation instead of focusing on the other’s fault
Be honest with the other person(s)
Be alert to Satan’s schemes to hinder reconciliation or fan the flames of discord.
Seek out God’s will in the situation and how in all things God can be glorified.
Ken Sande, of Peacemakers Ministries writes:
“When you are having a hard time forgiving someone (i.e. being restored), take time to note how God may be using that offense for good. Is this an unusual opportunity to glorify God? How can you serve others and help them grow in their faith? What sins and weaknesses of yours are being exposed? What character qualities are you being challenged to exercise? When you perceive that the person who has wronged you is being used as an instrument in God’s hand to help you mature, serve others, and glorify him, it may be easier for you to move ahead with forgiveness”
Instead, be kind to one another, tender-hearted, and graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32 LSB)
bearing with one another, and graciously forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord graciously forgave you, so also should you. (Colossians 3:13 LSB)
“Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault, between you and him alone; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. (Matthew 18:15 LSB)
Conclusion
So who is a murderer? Are you a murderer? Most of us would quickly say no. How about by Jesus’ standards? Jesus says anyone who says, “You fool” is destined for Hellfire (Verse 22). Hell is a real place and eternity is a long time. If you are a person that lives angry, is constantly angry, or maybe you even enjoy the conflict, you need to ask God to change your heart today.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10 LSB)
Jesus died our death and defeated our grave so that we may have his righteousness. He took the penalty and power of sin from your life. Anger is no longer the chain you need to carry. It is a jail people imprison themselves in and deep down inside they are miserable people. They are hurting. Jesus went to the cross to set you free from these chains.
If a man is filled with anger, then anger controls his life. If a man is filled with greed, then greed dominates his life. If a man is filled with lust, then lust governs his life. If a man is filled with love, then love influences all he does. And if a man is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is controlled by the Spirit." (Sermon Central: Emily Wolfaart)
