Murderous Rage

Intro:

AG:

TS: Jesus just finished saying He came to complete not abolish the Law. Now we begins a pattern:

“You have heard it said, but I say”

He is not changing the Law! Rather, He is challenging the traditional interpretation and understanding of the Law.

Pharisees had taught that GOD had given the written Law and the Oral Law

They and all rabbis wrote, studied, debated, and taught the Mishnah, an encyclopedia of their traditions.

People would have had the Mishnah drilled into them with its detailed interpretations.

The Rabbis had added many instructions and loopholes to excuse horrible behavior.

Jesus points them back to the Word and explains the true spirit of the law.

In today’s text, Jesus discusses the connection between anger and murder.

RS:

The Problem of Anger

Matthew 5:21–22 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Jesus begins by bringing His disciples back to GOD’s word on murder and rage

Tradition:

You have heard it said.

do not murder

In no way does he relax the standard! (v. 19)

Genesis 9:6 ESV

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.

Murder was and remains a vile sin.

In the Law, premeditated murder was a capital offense.

Manslaughter would require the one who caused another’s death to flee to the city of refuge and there remain or face the death penalty.

Talmudic law greatly refined the distinctions between premeditated and unpremeditated homicide.

Willful murder was distinguished from "nearly willful" manslaughter

Also, premeditation in murder is to be determined either by the nature of the instrument used or by previous expressions of enmity.

Unpremeditated homicide was subdivided into killings that were negligent, accidental, "nearly unavoidable", under duress, or justifiable

See how complicated they made it?

Jesus blows past all of that!

But I say

He addresses the heart, anger.

He declares that a murderous rage is the same as the sin of murder.

A lot of folks had better hope GOD doesn’t read their Facebook rants!

Jesus addresses

Anger

everyone who is angry

angry- very angry, enraged.

Verbal abuse

everyone who insults

everyone who says you fool (Lit. “empty-headed”)

Such abuse stems from sinful motives of hatred and anger.

He explains the internal attitude is what the law was prohibiting all along!

God wanted them to treat each other as valuable brothers and sisters

These abusive insults carries the same moral guilt as the act of murder

How we treat people matters!

As Disciples of Jesus, we are reminded that we cannot excuse being abusive by saying, “I didn’t kill anybody!”

Hurtful words do have harmful effects.

We are to value each other.

There is no room for looking at someone and viewing them as inferior and worthy of our contempt.

The Sermon Outline Bible, Volume 5: Matthew 1–21 Chap. 5, vers. 21–26

Christ taught that, in the sight of God, the causeless anger, the cruel scorn, the malignant speech were all infractions of this law

Recognize the value of all human life, even those who frustrate us!

They are fallen humans and will make mistakes.

The Solution for Anger

Matthew 5:23–26 ESV

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Seek Reconciliation:

Jesus makes the transition to how this relates to worship and giving, he shifts the focus slightly—away from our subjective feelings of anger or contempt or despising onto the relationship that has been wrecked by our contempt.

Jesus challenges us to make reconciliation a top priority

Even leave your offering go be reconciled, and then come back to offer.

This seems to indicate a long held grudge or at least the beginning of one.

Does anger interfere in our worship?

YES!

How many of you ever walk in here angry?

Maybe it was the family member who made you late.

Maybe it is the other driver who cut you off.

Whatever the cause, we are to reconcile quickly.

When coming to give, are we responsible for all the grudges and anger and enmity that people may feel against us?

Be honest, and search your own life.

Have you caused offense (whether you meant to or not)?

Remember Mt 5:9

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

It isn’t a question of who is right and wrong.

It is up to us as Disciples of Jesus to make the first move to be reconciled.

It means seeking their forgiveness. It also means extending forgiveness (even to those who don’t deserve it!)

I think he means, "If you remember in this week that someone has something against you because you have wronged them, then as much as it depends on you, try to be reconciled." Humble yourself. Reach out.

You can hear two qualifications of Jesus' words that I see in the context.

1. We are only responsible for what others hold against us when it is owing to real sin or blundering on our part.

2. We are responsible to pursue reconciliation, but live with the pain if it does not succeed. In other words, we are not responsible to make reconciliation happen.

Romans 12:18 ESV

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Come to terms quickly

This part is more about keeping grudges and long term feuds from starting.

When the disagreement grows, it can lead to legal ramifications.

Arguments can grow and lead to the court.

Civil or Criminal

Diffuse the situation if possible.

Find a way to make peace.

Many times we can be guilty of clinging to and demanding our own rights.

I believe it is this selfishness that Christ addresses.

Too often we put our convenience first to the disadvantage of others.

Yes, we were there first, but what is the harm of just letting them have the parking spot?

Even when we are wrong, most people are wired to so love themselves that we flatter ourselves into believing we are right and seeking justice!

Restrain your justice gland!

Don’t demand your rights in each and every situation.

When it hits the courts, you may just be proven wrong!

This instruction speaks to me of our witness.

We may stand up for our turn, our spot, our right and win.

But what has that done to our ability to witness and share the love of Christ?

All battles aren’t worth fighting.

May God give us the wisdom to know which are and which are not.

Conclusion: