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“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.“ (Matt 5:21-22 NIV84) [see these verses in their context below]
Communications and motives of the heart.
When it comes to communication—how something is said is just as important as what is said. But what is often overlooked and of greater importance is why something is said—the motive of the heart.
As parents, we teach our children what to say through prompts and repetition— ”Say please… say thank you… tell Nana (or Papa or another relative) I love you.”
When children are young, we can coerce them to say words but we can’t change what’s in their hearts. As they get older, this becomes more evident. Later on, as adults, we learn to conceal what our true feelings are when we mouth the words others expect to hear.
The disconnect between the words of our mouth and the intent of our heart is too often overlooked. At times, we may need to take what is said as what is meant. But we also need discernment when there is a disconnect between people’s words and what is in their hearts.
The more we conceal our true feelings—the intent and thoughts of our heart—we become jaded, disingenuous, and even deceive ourselves.
When something is said carelessly or recklessly, it’s easy to cover it by saying— ”Oh, I didn’t mean that.” And we begin to believe this ourselves the more we fall into this pattern of disconnected words and heart.
Insights
When there is a disconnect between our words and our heart, we are being disingenuous. And this is a deception and lie that carries over to all our relationships, even our closest ones. In turn, this pattern creeps into our relationship with the Lord.
This carryover of disingenuousness in our relationship with God is nothing new. It took place throughout the history of Israel seen through what the prophet Isaiah spoke—
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD… “Stop bringing meaningless offerings!… When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!” (Isaiah 1:11, 13, 15 NIV)
The Lord saw the disconnect between the words and the heart of His people and rebuked them for it. This is what Jesus does in redefining God’s Law. He rebukes the Jewish leaders for how they disconnected the truth of the Law from its original intent.
Redefining and Fulfilling God’s Law
Beginning in verse 21, we see Jesus use the phrases, “You have heard that it was said… But I tell you….” Jesus repeats what the people were told by their rabbis and other spiritual leaders then He restores the original intent of God’s Law.
What became distorted by interpretations and traditions was reframed in a more clear sense of why the Law said what it said. Jesus gave the intent of God’s heart for how His people should treat each other.
In ancient times, few people had access to the written Law and many others only had basic reading skills or were illiterate. The majority of God’s people were dependent upon those who were educated and in roles of leadership. This was so in the time of Jesus and the early church.
Certain portions of the Law were committed to memory, even as people memorize the Bible today. But for a deeper understanding, they relied on the scribes and teachers of the Law.
Jesus wanted people to understand the truth of the Law in a simple and practical way. The Law was intended as a guide for daily life for those who trusted in the One, True, and Living God.
When Jesus said, “But I tell you…,” He spoke with the authority of His Father as the Son of God.
Jesus declares that forbidding murder went deeper than the act of killing someone with malice. It begins in the heart which stirs emotions and thoughts that precede actions.
“Raca” was an expression of contempt like saying—you stupid imbecile! Calling someone a fool spoke against their moral character or lack of integrity.
When we have such thoughts—whether expressed or not—Jesus says we have murder in our heart because such attitudes and thoughts can lead to the act of murder, if not resolved.
It’s this underlying attitude of the offended heart that Jesus addresses. He emphasizes the need for reconciliation with others.
When we offend others or are offended by someone, we tend to justify and defend our own rightness. But Jesus tells us it’s better to be reconciled than right.
As mentioned before, righteousness is relational. Our efforts to comply with external laws and rules is not what God is seeking from us. God is more concerned with our hearts.
When we go to church regularly, serve others, give offerings, and share our faith with others, this may look good to others. But God wants us to deal with the intents and attitudes of our hearts first.
It’s better to be right in our relationships with others than right in our outward appearance to them. This pleases the Lord more than any rightness of our own.
Reflection—
Jesus warns us that murder goes deeper than the act of killing someone with malice. It starts with contempt and hate for others in our hearts, which stir our emotions and thoughts that precede the act.
Prayer Focus—
When you realize you have unresolved anger or resentment toward others, reconcile with them so your heart is free to honor God in a way that pleases Him. Ask Him for mercy and grace to penetrate your heart and flow through you to others.
Devo Scripture Text
“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.”
“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.”
“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.
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.”
(Matthew 5:17-26 NIV84)