FRIDAY- FIRST WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Ezekiel 18:21-28: Am I likely to take pleasure in the death of a wicked man and not prefer to see him renounce his wickedness and live?

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26: Go and be reconciled with your brother first.

The Real Meaning of Murder, Mt 5:21-26

Civilized societies have always considered murdered being a serious crime worthy of judgement. But anger is a different matter. Few have ever thought of anger as being on the same level as murder and worthy of serious judgement. However, Christ says that unjustified anger is the same as murder and will be subject to the same judgement from God.

Note the words, “brother” and “anyone” (v.22,23,24). Christ is saying that every human being is a brother/sister under God’s creation. Therefore, His words apply universally to every human being.

1.     The law (v.21):

The law against murder is the sixth commandment (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). Note that God’s law is given to protect life. Life is to be respected and cherished. No life to be taken, neither one’s own life nor the life of anyone else.

2.     The real meaning: Anger (22)

Murder is deeper than just an outward act. It is an inward act: Anger is bitterness, enmity, hatred, slandering, destroying, rage, fury, an uncontrolled spirit, hurt, envying, wrath, indignation and killing. So murder is born from within, form an uncontrolled spirit, from an unregulated urge, from an inner anger. Anger itself is a real sin, the sin that breaks the law of God.

3.     The growth of anger (22)

a.     A brooding anger

b.    A contemptuous anger

c.      An accusing, cursing anger

4.     The judgement of anger (22)

5.     The answer to anger: Reconciliation (23-24)

a.     The urgency: Must precede worship

b.    The time: while some openness exists

c.      The danger or damage of holding anger (25)

d.    Earthly judgement

e.      Divine judgement symbolized

6.     The terrible end of anger: judgement is sure (26)

Thought:  Note three facts:

i.                   Jesus speaks to those who know the law. The person who knows the law (the WORD) needs this message as much as anyone.

ii.                 God’s law existed from the beginning (long ago). It will never be annulled or done away with. It is always to govern people. People are always are to heed it.

iii.              Striking out at a person is clearly forbidden, but so are bad feelings against a person. Anger-any bad feelings whatever against a person is sin, serious sin.