Matthew 5:21-26
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In our last meditation we saw that Jesus came to give a complete picture of God’s good and perfect ways through the law given to Moses. Today we begin looking at a series of “You have heard it said…But I say…” statements that illustrate the original intent of God’s law.
Read Matthew 5:21-26 with this in mind.
“You have heard it said…”
The issue at hand is murder, which is an obvious act that stands in opposition to God’s good intent for people. But Jesus wants us to look at the distortions of shalom that lurk beneath the surface of this extreme behavior.
“But I say…”
Murder is the ultimate earthly destruction of a person created in the image of God, but murder doesn’t just happen. Jesus points out that unchecked anger, contempt and degradation of another person lead us to a place of disregard for human life.
When we allow our frustration or irritation with someone to blossom into anger it is all too easy to dehumanize the object of our anger. By judging someone less intelligent or less morally upright than ourselves we can categorize them as less valuable, and by labeling another person in derogatory ways we can justify our hatred of them. Though we may not snuff out their physical life, we can easily deem them less than fully human.
Take a moment to reflect on the spiral of unchecked anger, contempt, degradation and dehumanization. Are there times when you have found yourself dehumanizing another person in your mind? Talk to Jesus about this.
Read Matthew 5:21-26 again noticing the shift in perspective from our internal process to our offenses against others.
When questionable behavior occurs, there is a psychological phenomenon in which humans tend to attribute good motives to themselves (thereby justifying a questionable behavior) and bad motives to others (thereby condemning a questionable behavior). Jesus makes it very clear that our behavior often causes real harm to others, and rather than justify it, we need to own it.
Jesus points out two reasons we should own our questionable behavior. First, we can’t be fully free to worship and serve God when we have thoughtlessly hurt another person without making amends. And second, the person we hurt may seek to settle the score if we haven’t confessed and made restitution.
For the last moments of this mediation, get quiet and become aware of the presence of Jesus with you. Notice anything that comes to mind as you remain still and quiet.
If you sense that any of these thoughts may be an invitation from Jesus, determine what you will do in response and take a step in that direction today.
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