Dave's Diary

Prayer

Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:17-18.

Lord, open my eyes to the wonderful truths of Your Word, so that I may live in obedience to Your will and Your ways. Amen.

Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word.

Reading

Matthew 5:21-26

Immediately after calling us, His disciples, to a greater righteousness than that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law (Matthew 5:17-20), Jesus starts working His way through a series of Old Testament laws. In each case, He calls us to a higher standard than just keeping the letter of the law. He raises the bar by taking us back to the spirit behind that particular law. Today’s reading is the first such example.

As disciples of Jesus, it is not enough that we simply refrain from committing murder. Remember, it is not that we are called not to hate our neighbour. We are called to love them in action. We are called to seek their highest best. Therefore, it is not enough simply to refrain from murdering someone (v.21-22). Our call is to actively prioritise reconciliation and the healing of our relationship with them.

Instead of stubbornly turning away from someone we have come to despise, harbouring hatred in our hearts and committing violence with our words through slandering or belittling them, we are called to actively prioritise reconciliation with them. And that’s true even to the point of walking away from a worship service to go and find them to make right – understanding that this is more of a love offering to the Lord than any worship song or tithe could ever be (v.23-24).

The same is true even to the point of being willing to lose out financially for the sake of reconciliation (v.25). We are called to put both pride and profit on the altar for the sake of peace and reconciliation with our brothers and sisters.

The heavenly Father loves all of His children and He longs to see them at peace with one another and loving one another. When it is within our power to make peace with someone with whom we are in a conflict, doing so will be an act of love and worship to the Father!

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn one or more of these declarations over and over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ:

• I am called to actively prioritise reconciliation and peace with others.
• I am called to work towards healed relationships.
• Doing so is an act of love to the other and to the Lord!

Heavenly Father, may my life today be a thank offering to You. Help me to surrender my anger and even hatred towards ……. (insert name(s) here) …… Please empower me by Your Spirit to pursue peace and reconciliation even when that means putting both pride and profit on the altar. I love You, and I long to bring You delight in this way. Amen.