“Be Reconciled”

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”

Matthew 5:21-26

We know we should not murder. Jesus also told us taking someone’s life was not limited to physical murder. We can show contempt for someone by calling them names, and be just as guilty. In Jewish culture calling someone a fool was the equivalent of calling that person empty-headed or an idiot. It was used to demean and demote another person. Name-calling is damaging because it insults the God who created that person in His image.

To insult the creature is to insult the Creator.

Our Daily Bread – February 28, 2008