Summary notes
Leave – Go – Be Reconciled – Then Come – and Present
This command to leave your offering and first go and be reconciled and then present your offering is complex because it has five instructions and involves first century Jewish religious practices. However the command is still remarkably relevant today because at its heart the command is about reconciliation of interpersonal relationships.
In the Jewish religion at the time, worship of God took place at the temple in Jerusalem. The worshiper would bring to the temple offerings of animals, food, drink or incense for various reasons to be presented to God at an alter. The temple was the only place prescribed for animal sacrifice and it was destroyed in 70 AD. Therefore Judaism no longer practices this ritual.
Love God and Hate My Neighbor?
I cannot properly worship God and hate my neighbor. Jesus stated in Matthew 22 that the second greatest commandment after loving God is to love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 12:17-18 states that I am to never pay back evil for evil to anyone and if it is possible, so far as it depends on me to, be at peace with everyone. Without reconciliation for wrongs I have caused there remains for me a lack of personal peace due to a guilty conscience. The effect of a guilty conscience on the mind and body is not good. Stress is the result and long term stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and immunological disorders of the body and anxiety and depression of the mind.
Reconciling is an act of love
Reconciling with someone is not only for my benefit, but primarily for theirs too. If someone has something against me that I have forgotten until now, then they are the one likely to be upset or angry about it rather than me! Reconciling is a humble act of love on my part. Humility is involved because I must recognize and take responsibility for my part in the dispute. Brotherly love is involved because I make the decision and attempt to remove the cause of anger and ill will from the other person for their benefit.
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COMMAND: “…leave your offering …and go; first be reconciled …and then come and present your offering.”
Mt 5:24
RECIPIENT:
To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain
Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…
CONTEXT: My notes about the context of this command
A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount:
Mt 5:21-23 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; 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…”
COMMAND FULL TEXT AND IMMEDIATE RESULT:
Mt 5:24 “… leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”
RESULT:
After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.
DEFINITIONS: Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text
(word: Strong’s # Greek pronunciation — definition)
leave: G863 ἀφίημι af-ee’-ay-mee — to send forth; context implied meaning to depart from one place in order to go to another place
offering: G1435 δῶρον dō‘-ron — a present; specifically a sacrifice
go: G2064 ἔρχομαι er’-khom-ahee — to literally or figuratively come or go
reconciled: G1259 διαλλάσσω dee-al-las’-sō — to change; to change the mind; to conciliate
brother: G80 ἀδελφός ad-el-fos’ — literally or figuratively a brother (my personal belief is that this term is generic and equally inclusive of sisters)
come: G2064 ἔρχομαι er’-khom-ahee — to come or go
present: G4374 προσφέρω pros-fer’-ō — to bring towards
MY COMMENTS AND NOTES:
In the Jewish religion at the time, worship of God took place at the temple in Jerusalem. The worshiper would bring to the temple offerings of animals, food, drink or incense for various reasons to be presented to God at an alter. The temple was the only place prescribed for animal sacrifice and it was destroyed in 70 AD. Therefore Judaism no longer practices this ritual. The principle that I cannot properly worship God without love for my neighbor also is still valid because Jesus also said this:
Mt 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Romans 12:17-18 states that I am to never pay back evil for evil to anyone and if it is possible, so far as it depends on me to, be at peace with everyone. Without reconciliation for wrongs I have caused there remains for me a lack of personal peace due to a guilty conscience. The effect of a guilty conscience on the mind and body is not good. Stress is the result and long term stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and immunological disorders of the body and anxiety and depression of the mind.
But reconciling with my brother is not only for my benefit, but primarily for his. If he has something against me that I have forgotten until now, then he is likely to be upset or angry about it rather than me! Reconciling is a humble act of love on my part. Humility is involved because I must recognize and take responsibility for my part in the dispute. Brotherly love is involved because I make the decision and attempt to remove the cause of anger and ill will from my brother for his benefit.
MY PERSONAL APPLICATION: I encourage you to make your own application
If I have wronged someone, consider the part I had in it and take responsibility for that part. I may hope, but must not expect that they will admit to their part. I should seeking wise counsel before attempting to talk to that person or persons whom I have wronged, especially if there are legal or financial issues involved and certainly if there is danger involved. If I am accepted then peace will be won for both parties. If I am not accepted then I have peace knowing I have done all that can be done for now.
The next command contains some important instruction pertaining to this one. I’ll post it next week…
Below, please share your comments , question or perhaps your own application for this command
© 2018 Christopher Carlson