A New Way of Being: 10 Lessons From the Sermon on the MountSample

Day 4: Being Loving

Disciples are called to a self-giving love for those around them. In this passage, Jesus addresses the problem of anger and bitterness. Selfish anger ignores the truth that all people are created in the image of God (Gen 1:26). Disciples should treat everyone with innate worth and value.

Jesus offers examples of how a disciple should respond to his teaching. In the first example, Jesus reveals a man who has entered the temple. He has passed through the mikva bath for cleansing and purchased his sacrificial animal. In front of him lies the court of priests where his sacrifice will be made, but he suddenly remembers how he has wronged his brother. The whole process has taken most of the morning, but he leaves to find his brother so that he can reconcile before making his sacrifice. Jesus’ point is clear. Reconciling with your neighbor is necessary before fulfilling external obedience in worship. God knows our hearts.

Unresolved anger breeds bitterness and bitterness corrupts the soul. The answer to selfish anger is selfless love. The Apostle Paul explains this truth, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor 13:4–7).

Question to Ponder:

Do I have relationships that need reconciliation? How will I respond with selfless love?