Taking a Life

"You have heard that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial. But now I tell you: whoever gets angry with his brother will have to face trial. Whoever insults his brother deserves to be brought before the council, whoever humiliates his brother deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell." - Matthew 5:21-22

After reading this verse I'm sure a good number of us are thinking we're going to be thrown in hell! Yes, we know murdering someone is wrong, but here, Jesus is warning that insulting someone is the same thing as murder. The act of murder is obviously terribly violent, but when we insult someone else, there is a lack of love that takes place. As a result of this, we fail to see the life of God in that person and therefore we are rejecting God. Murder has irrevocable consequences and similarly, think of times you have been seriously angry at someone, or them at you, has the relationship been fully mended or are there remnants of hurt and pain? All of this goes against the love and abundance of life God wants to give us, which is why to Jesus, insults and ill-managed anger are the same as taking someone's life. And many times, to the people we hurt, it feels like their lives have been taken away.

Watch yourselves and how you act. The bar has been set high, but not too high so that we can't reach it.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for lacking in love for my brother. Forgive me for all offenses I've committed consciously and unconsciously. I have so much to learn but pray that You show me. In Your Name we pray, amen.