Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
Jesus knew that we humans cannot love God in an isolated relationship. We cannot love God and despise people created in God’s image. In fact, perhaps the clearest way that we can show our love for God is to love other human beings, whom He loves.
Jesus also explained that if we are worshiping God and seeking to do His Will, and we remember there is something broken in our relationship with another person, we should try to find forgiveness or reconciliation with that person. Then we will be in the right space for loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind.
The scenario presented in these verses involves a worshiper offering a gift at the altar. In the cultural and religious context of the time, this act symbolized one's devotion and commitment to God. It reflects a desire to draw near to the divine through worship and sacrificial offerings.
The turning point in the narrative is when the worshiper remembers that their brother or sister has something against them. This remembrance is not passive, it implies an active awareness of a broken relationship or unresolved conflict. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of our horizontal relationships with others and our vertical relationship with God.
The instruction to leave the gift before the altar is a powerful gesture. It conveys the idea that, in the divine economy, reconciliation takes precedence over ritual. The physical act of leaving the gift symbolizes a willingness to interrupt the worship ritual in order to address the relational breach.
The heart of the matter lies in the call to reconciliation. The worshiper is instructed to prioritize reconciliation with their brother before continuing with the act of worship. This underscores the importance of interpersonal relationships in the eyes of God and the transformative power of reconciliation.
Priority of Reconciliation, verses 23-24 challenges the notion that ritualistic acts of worship can be divorced from the state of one's relationships. It highlights the priority of reconciliation, suggesting that a harmonious community is integral to authentic worship.
Active Engagement in Reconciliation, the use of the word remember suggests an active engagement with one's relationships. It's a call to self-awareness and a recognition of the responsibility to address conflicts, even when engaged in acts of worship.
Transformation through Reconciliation, the implicit message is that true worship involves the transformation of the worshiper. The act of reconciliation is not just a means to an end but a transformative process that aligns the worshiper's heart with the divine.
These verses challenge us to recognize the inseparable link between worship and relationships. It calls for an active engagement with our own hearts and the pursuit of reconciliation as an integral part of our spiritual journey. In doing so, it presents a vision of worship that is not confined to rituals but encompasses the transformative power of reconciled and restored relationships.
We cannot choose sacrifices over relationships to maintain our relationship with God, we must also give thought to how we maintain our relationships with one another. Let us be reconciled to God and through Him to one another, and seek to maintain reconciled relationships through the power of God in Christ to His eternal glory!!!
Father, thank You for this day and the breath of life we have in Your life sustaining Word. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. As we come to You and seek to serve You, by Your love and grace guide us to reconcile with others whom we have wronged or be been wronged by. Lord, help us to leave all our bitterness, unforgiveness and anger behind and serve others like You. Lord, use us to be the blessing someone needs today.
Father, we love You. Amen.!
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