the basic message #E19
Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
In his book, “The Cost of Discipleship”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer suggests that whenever we enter a worship service with any animosity in our hearts, God doesn’t accept our worship. Some folks think Bonhoeffer’s view is harsh, but after reading the above passage, I must agree with him. How could I not agree? Jesus Christ tells us to go and be reconciled with our brother before returning to worship- why is that hard to understand?
I hereby challenge every pastor that gets this devotional to try something in his or her church. Open the worship service with this passage and then simply say, “If you have an unresolved issue with your brother (or sister), leave now and go work out your differences. We’ll be here next week to resume our regular worship, but during this week, you have your challenge from Jesus.” Perhaps the pastor should also realize that many people are holding grudges against their fellow church members, so the healing process could begin during the worship service. I’m sure some people will think I’m crazy to suggest this, but back up and read the scripture above once more and tell me if Jesus was only joking. He sounds pretty serious to me. What good is it doing us to worship God and at the same time feeling hatred towards another person that he created?
John 8:42-44
Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire.”
I’m still struggling with my daily walk with Jesus, but with his ongoing, unfailing support, I will prevail. I really worry about my friends and relatives that are unable to hear what Jesus says. The passage above holds so much truth if you just look around our society. I know plenty of people who profess to be Christians that can’t or won’t follow the simplest directives from Christ. Why? As Jesus says, “Because you are unable to hear what I say”. You can sit down with an intelligent, perceptive person and explain some simple things that Christ said, only to get a look from them as if you suddenly spoke in another language that they don’t understand. I realize now that the look is truthful- they really can’t understand. Pray that God will open their hearts and minds to be able to understand his words through Jesus Christ. Then go back and reread the first passage, and if your pastor won’t officially call his congregation to forgive and be forgiven by his fellow man, go and do it on your own. Have I angered or offended any of you? If so, I take this electronic opportunity to ask sincerely for your forgiveness.