Follow-up to Leave Your Offering and Go Be Reconciled

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What Jesus Said to Do

Photo Artistry by Dawn Carlson Ships that have come and gone past the Fort Gratiot lighthouse since 1829 often overcame obstacles. Aside from weather, the channel from Lake Huron to the St. Clair River requires some tight turns in the current to proceed without damage. Reconciling with someone whom I’ve wronged can also have obstacles to overcome. Obstacles such as distance, cost, lost addresses, faulty memory and hurt feelings can make reconciliation even more difficult. Its best to think about it , seek some guidance and practice first! I like Michael Jordan‘s quote because it applies to this AND so many situations of life! This image and more can be found in the Photo Gallery. Click on the image for an explanation Why a Lighthouse

Jesus said in Matthew 5:24, ”Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

What!?

This command of Jesus is from the first century but it still has a powerful message for today. When someone came to the Jewish temple in the first century to seek God’s favor they brought something to offer. But Jesus was telling His disciples that if they were seeking God’s favor with a guilty conscience then they would do well to reconcile first. God was and is not impressed with a fine gift if the giver is mean to people. Besides that, we know that 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.

Have you ever offended someone in a big way?

Have you ever done or said some things that you knew were wrong and it offended someone? I have, and it bothered me so that I was sorry about it. This command has through the years reminded me that I needed to try to make things right. With a lot of humble pie I’ve made some apologies and even asked forgiveness on occasion. A wise person told me to do this in person or with a phone call and never use a letter. Remarkably some folks I talked to didn’t remember the event. Others were quite gracious and accepted the apology. Either way, the times I’ve done this have indeed resulted in peace for me. It was like I had finally paid a debt and was free of it.

Below, please share your comments , question or perhaps your own application for this command

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB