SOTM 14—Anger

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.You have heard that it was said by those of old, you will not kill; and whoever kills will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you whoever is angry with his brother rashly will be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, raqa, will be in danger of the council. And whoever says “fool” will be in danger of hellfire. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly while you are on the way with him, lest at any time the adversary delivers you to the judge, and the judge delivers you to the minister and you are cast into prison. Truly I say to you, you will by no means come out from there until you have paid the last penny (Matthew 5:21-26).From here on Jesus will take up various points of law—the law of Moses. These are entirely non-trivial. The matters Jesus brings up in the next sections— murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and enemies—are all fundamental in their importance and impact on our lives. Of course not every topic is equally important—but all are important.AngerToday’s passage is the first of a series of teachings in which Jesus refers to something in the Law (or in popular Jewish teaching) and then contrasts it with his own kingdom teachings. In each case, he doesn't contradict the Law, but rather fleshes out the purpose behind the law and calls us to an even higher standard.The commandment of the Decalogue Jesus begins with is: “You shall not murder” (Exod 20:13). Rather than eliminating the commandment, Jesus now enlarges it. He tells them they must not even be angry at others. “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).By using the formula "You have heard... but I say to you," Jesus also establishes Himself as the new lawgiver—the second Moses (a large theme in Matthew's gospel). He has no hesitation to modify the laws that Moses gave—again, not to destroy them but to fill them out and complete them.Jesus does not condemn all varieties of anger, only anger that is rash or selfish. Jesus himself regarded religious leaders “with anger” because of their hardheartedness (Mark 3:5). There is such a thing as righteous anger. Paul urges, “When you are angry, do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger” (Eph 4:26; see Psalm 4:4).Raqa and fool were mild insults; neither constituted profanity. These are disrespectful words. And Christians are not to be disrespectful in how they address others. Our altar is in heaven (Heb 13:10; see also 9:4 and 10:1).Unrighteous attitudes towards others affects our prayer. In Rev 8:3 the prayers of the saints are on the golden altar. There is no point in offering a gift to God if our brother has something against us. Even under the Law of Moses, God rejected sacrifices from those with unclean hands.This also has application to the Lord's Supper: 1 Cor 11:29 calls us to discern the body. Entirely relational—not that there no vertical, divine dimension to communion. But the focus of the larger section (1 Cor 8:1-11:1) is horizontal—loving our brothers and sisters, especially those who have less.There is sort of parallel passage, the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matt 18:21-35). (Please read this after the podcast is over.)Time is of the essence.PracticalsConsidering what Jesus said about anger and insults, what are we to do if we have been angry at a fellow Christian, or have insulted them?Jesus provides the answer: waste no time in becoming reconciled with him.Are there people we need to initiate with?It may be costly to reconcile—but it is costlier not to reconcile.After all, we are called to be peacemakers (Matt 5:9).At the same time, the Lord understands that our best efforts may be spurned (Rom 12:18).Communion: Have we ever not taken communion?While we have likely been conditioned to feel unworthy of body of the Lord for things like laziness or lust, when did we last refuse communion because of unfinished business with a brother or sister who had a problem with us?This is the nitty-gritty work of the kingdom—not getting tangled up in webs of guilt for flagging discipleship or secret sin.So when we’re growing angry with someone, warning lights should be going off! Usually (not always) this anger is born of self-interest and is sinful.Next podcast: Lust