Living Like Yeshua, Part 9 (Matthew 5:21-26)

 

Welcome back, friend, to my series on the Sermon on the Mount, where we explore Yeshua's instructions on how to live as His disciples.

Today, we are looking at the part of the sermon where Yeshua tackles anger and reconciliation.

In this passage, Yeshua makes a shift from His "blessed are" to "you have heard". But what He says is more than just hearsay. He is quoting Torah.

In this instance, He tells the people that the law of Moses says 'Do not murder' and anybody who murders is now subject to punishment by the law. But Yeshua follows this up with "actually, if you so much as become exasperated or enraged with your brother, you will be subject to judgement. Now, if you call your brother 'Raca' (meaning inferior/worthless/empty-headed) you will be condemned by a jury. Now, if you call someone a moron, you will be liable to a 'Gehenna of fire'.

What is a Gehenna of fire? This is referring to the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were said to have been cast out and destroyed by fire. In earlier eras, this valley is also supposed to be the site of extensive child sacrifices to Molech. While archaeologists say they have yet to find evidence to these claims, there are too many references throughout scripture to ignore the likelihood.

Now, whether this gehenna of fire is meant to be an eternal torture, or a fire that can destroy souls out of existence, that is a study for another time. And in this particular instance, a person could experience a valley of fire while still in the mortal life. If you are angry about someone and insult them and hold them in contempt, doesn't it eat away at you inside? Doesn't it burn? Isn't it miserable? Indeed, your anger is more painful to you than it is to the person you are scorning!

But regardless whether the intended reference was misery in this life or the next, Yeshua's words are bleak. So much as merely scorning and insulting someone is a severe infraction of the law, punishable by fire.

So what is the right response? Going forward into verse 23 and beyond, Yeshua says, "If you are bringing your gift to the altar, and there you remember that you and your brother are in opposition about anything, leave the gift, go reconcile your conflict, then come back and finish the offering."

"Furthermore", Yeshua adds, " make peace with your enemies before they take you into court, because once you're there, they will hand you to the judge, who will hand you to the officer, who will throw you in prison, and you will rot there until your debt is paid in full."

If you have a problem with someone, take it to them and calmly and gently try to negotiate peace. It is better to come to a compromise than to risk condemnation because of your own anger toward them.