Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized” and “tempted” by the “devil”, and he shared how “angels” ministered to Him afterward. Jesus heard that John the Baptist was thrown into prison, and He left His hometown to dwell in “Capernaum” where He began His ministry. Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His followers. As Matthew continued to share how Jesus' fame spread throughout Galilee many others were gathered unto Him. Matthew continued by sharing how Jesus taught concerning the “beatitudes” of the “Kingdom of Heaven”, and He said, “You are the salt of the earth … and the light of the world.” Jesus told His disciples, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus then began to give examples of why it is necessary to “exceed” the righteousness of the Pharisees by saying, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, you fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-four of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus instructed, “leave there your gift … first be reconciled” where we read:
Leave
there your gift before the altar, and go your way;
first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
The verse reads, “Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way;” Matthew began with the words, “leave there” which means “let go, give up and remit at the altar” “your gift” which means “the disciples' offering, sacrifices and treasures” “before the altar” or “in the presence of and in the presence of the altar for slaying and burning of victims”; “and go your way” which means “and leave, withdraw, go away and depart”. Jesus instructed His disciples to “leave behind” their “offerings” at God's “altar” and depart.
The verse goes on to say, “first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew continued with the word, “first” which means “before, chiefly, and in advance” “be reconciled” or “be changed, renewed and conciliated” “to your brother” which means “to the disciples' fellow believer who is united to another by the bond of affection”; “and then come” or “and afterward reappear, come forth and show yourself” “and offer” which means “and bring, lead to and tender” “your gift” or “the disciples' offering, sacrifice and treasure”. Jesus told His disciples to have their relationship with their “brother” conciliated, and afterward bring their “treasures” to God's “altar”.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how there is an order to the offering of “gifts” to God. When there is an “offering” to be presented, and the person giving it remembers someone they have offended or who has offended them, they are to respond by going to that person and “first” be “reconciled” and then make their “sacrifices” to God. God desires to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and His way is best when it comes to offering gifts. Should there be those reading these words who have offended others or who have been offended by them, Jesus' way is to go to them, be “reconciled” and then present “offerings” to God.
Next time Jesus tells His disciples, “agree with your adversary quickly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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