Okay, last time we looked at some of our responsibilities as ‘Kingdom People.”  We are salt and light to a lost and dark world.  We are to be actively engaged in sharing that salt and light in order to flavor and preserve and to expose those things that are hidden in the darkness.  We are to  do these thing in order that men may “see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Now, Jesus is about to establish what kind of character it requires to be a “kingdom people.”  He begins by doing an exposition on the “Ten Commandments”, the Law of Moses!

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (vs 17-20)

Jesus establishes that God’s Law is still valid, but it has not and is not being fulfilled by God’s people.  Paul would later say that the law is a “schoolmaster”, teaching us about sin and declaring that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Jesus said He had come to fulill the requirements of the Law and thus to become the acceptable sacrifice for sin.  He is the only one who could possibly do this, and now he begins to explain why.

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin.
But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (vs. 21-22)

What does the law of Moses say?  “Thou shalt not kill.”  Jesus expands that to show that it is not just the “act” of murder, it is the “attitude” of the heart of man that is in question.  The scriptures say that the power of life and death are in the mouth.  Our words can kill quicker than any weapon we may have.  They kill the character of men, they kill the spirit of men, and they can kill even the will of men.  We must watch our words!  James puts it this way;

“With the tongue we praise out Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  ?My brothers this should not be.” (James 3:9-10)

Jesus then goes on to say that if we do something like this with out tongues, we should seek “reconciliation” before we can be heard by the Father.  Look:

“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.” (vs. 23-24)

When we offend someone, or even when we realize that another has taken an offense against us, we must seek to make it right if we expect the Father to hear us and bless us.  We forgive because we have been forgiven.  We reconcile because we have been reconciled.  We do this to “free” ourselves and to make sure there is nothing hindering what God wants to do in our lives.  Then, almost as an aside, Jesus gives some wise advice:

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.
Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge,
and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” (vs. 25-26)

Next time we will look more closely at some other principles Jesus lays out in the passage, but for now this is enough to ponder.