Burunche’s Blog

Teaching about Prayer and Fasting

5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

It’s a common sight in many churches. When a prayer time is announced, suddenly each member of the audience begins shouting as loudly as possible, speaking as rapidly as possible. Some people will claim they are doing this because they are waging spiritual warfare while others seem to believe that God is deaf and needs to be shouted at. Meanwhile, God the Heavenly Father, is waiting patiently for His people to be quiet so that He can speak to them. Sadly, much of the time, it’s nearly impossible to hear God’s still small voice because of the din. At the end of the prayer time, many worshipers might feel that they have really accomplished something; meanwhile, all they have done is to contribute a great deal of noise without giving God any opportunity to speak to them at all.

In Jesus’ day there were many people who longed to be complimented on their piety. These people might stand on street corners, shouting long prayers or standing in the center of the synagogue where everyone could see and hear them as they chanted in hopes of impressing others with their dedication. Some of those listening to Jesus assumed that these people were truly holy; now Jesus was turning that idea on its head. What was wrong?

Too many people assume that prayer is a monologue rather than a dialogue, that they should do all the talking without giving God a chance to weigh in. In fact, the opposite is the case. When God was calling Samuel as a young boy, Levi advised him to answer, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) Samuel’s entire life was spent listening to God and then sharing His Word with those around him.

Years ago, J. B. Phillips wrote a book entitled Your God is Too Small. When many of us pray, we don’t really think we are approaching the Creator of the Universe, the One True Living God. We behave as if God is deaf or stupid or both. We assume that God is as limited as we are and we must instruct him. We might even try to manipulate God in hopes of gaining favors we don’t deserve. God knows our hearts and God knows the end from the beginning; that’s why we need to quiet our hearts, compose ourselves, and LISTEN.

Later, Jesus will tell a story about two men praying in the temple. The Pharisee spends all his time boasting to God while the tax collector beats his breast in agony and begs God to be merciful to him because he is a sinner. In the story, the tax collector leaves justified by God while the Pharisee leaves without any spiritual gain.

6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. If at all possible, find someplace where you can be quiet before God so that you can listen to Him. But what if that’s impossible? John Wesley’s mother, Susanna Wesley, had nineteen children. Susanna trained her children so that if she sat down and pulled her long apron over her head, her children would play quietly, knowing that she was praying. Years ago, when I was a harried pediatric surgery resident, I prayed while walking a long corridor between the ICU and the rest of the wards. The place is not important; your heart attitude is.

Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. How does God reward us? First, God gives us His Holy Spirit and the hallmark of the Holy Spirit is peace. When we connect with God, God gives us peace, even when things appear to be falling apart. Next, God gives us guidance. Many times, God only gives us sufficient light for the next step because if He shows us the big picture, we would mess things up trying to force our will rather than His. And when we pray, God changes us into His likeness so that our lives will glorify Him.

By now, Jesus’ audience is becoming concerned. If they aren’t supposed to copy the religious leaders, how should they pray? That’s when Jesus gives the teaching we now know as the Lord’s Prayer. But before giving us what many believe to be a guide for prayers, Jesus warns his listeners.

7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! God knows our needs but He wants us to come to Him and spend time with Him. God knows our hearts even before we begin to approach Him, so there’s no point in yammering on at Him. If we are speaking with a friend, we aren’t going to begin haranguing as soon as we are near. If you wouldn’t do this to a human, don’t disrespect God by doing it to Him.

We’ll look at the Lord’s Prayer tomorrow, but for now, ask yourself the following: Have I been ignoring God and simply dumping needs on Him without listening? Have I confused noise with devotion? How big do I really think God is?

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to approach you quietly and reverently, remembering that You already know our needs and are waiting for us to listen to You. We love You and adore You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 6: Teaching about Giving to the Needy

1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

It’s a quiet morning in Jerusalem as worshipers flock toward the temple. There’s a general buzz of activity from the street, but nothing unusual. But what’s this? Suddenly the air is rent by the sound of blaring trumpets! Simon, a local merchant who’s so wealthy that he can scarcely count all his profits, is parading to the temple to make a donation. Simon wants to make sure everyone knows that he is donating a fantastic amount of money, so he’s hired trumpeters and others to announce the extent of his charity. And Simon has good reasons. After all, scarcely one week ago, his business rival Abner did the same thing. Now Simon wants all Jerusalem to know that when it comes to charity, he, Simon, can out-do Abner anytime and anywhere. Simon parades grandly into the temple, casually throwing coins to the beggars that throng the steps. Surely, surely even God must be impressed by Simon’s generosity….or is He?

Sadly, Simon is a big hypocrite. The term hypocrite means “someone who feigns what one is not or professing what one does not believe.” In other words, Simon is a fake, an amateur actor who’s putting on a good show. Too bad Simon isn’t fooling anybody, least of all God.

As Jesus begins telling this story, most of his audience is chuckling, for everybody has witnessed such scenes multiple times. Only the religious leaders and the wealthiest members of the audience are standing there with their faces turning red, for many of them are guilty of having indulged in such practices. While the Pharisees truly believe in the virtues of charity, some of them have been guilty of advertising their giving publicly. Some Pharisees will even sound small bells when they are about to make a donation. Now Jesus is telling them, “I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.”

Adding insult to injury, Jesus proceeds to give shocking advice. 3 “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Jesus advises that giving should be done so secretly and quietly that one hand scarcely knows what the other is doing. Some of the audience might be thinking, “But what’s the point of giving if nobody ever knows the extent of your generosity? What’s wrong with gaining a little public credit?”

There are several fundamental laws of the Kingdom of Heaven, and one of them is the measure you give out helps determine the measure you will receive. Jesus goes on to explain that the manner in which you give is equally important. If you are giving to bless someone without any thought of receiving credit, well and good. But if you are only giving in hopes of showing off for people or gaining favor with God, you’re in trouble, for God sees your heart and knows your reasons even before you do.

This teaching can raise questions for those of us who are supported largely by charitable donations. For example, donors want to know how their money is being used, but if we report the amounts we use monthly to support indigent patients and their families or students in health-related courses, are we boasting? No. The money is not really ours in the first place but God’s. When we report to donors, we are simply indicating how their donations have blessed people and the fact that we are responsible stewards of their donations.

What about quiet charity? There are the sums for which we have documentation and then there are other incidental donations. Sometimes there are also donations other than money. Many of the children who come to our hospital are not well nourished. We routinely buy breakfast biscuits (crackers for you Americans) with 450 calories per pack and hand them out in the Children’s Ward. Through the years, we have donated clothing, shoes, and other items. At times, we send cell phone credits when God directs us to do so.

Charity can have pitfalls. We frequently receive requests from individuals assuming that we have unlimited funds and should therefore grant without limits. The plain fact is that the money we handle is God’s money, even the money that comes as a salary or as Social Security. We pray over requests because God is the One who must direct us.

What are the rewards of quiet charity? We have been on the mission field most of the last 38 years, and God has continued to supply our needs. Several years ago, I earned a Master’s degree in public health from Tulane University. The Assistant Dean was well aware that we were operating on a limited budget; yet, each month I was able to make the necessary payments. At my graduation, this kind lady pointed me out as the woman who had come to Tulane on faith, for whom God had paid the bills.

Credit here or credit in heaven? When we give as God directs, we can rest assured that He sees and is pleased. But if we insist on flaunting our donations, the approbation we get from others is all the credit we will ever gain. Jesus was right. Give liberally and quietly, and God your Heavenly Father, who sees everything, will reward you. And God’s rewards are always far greater than anything we might imagine.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to give liberally and quietly, as You direct. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 5: Teaching about Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

If you thought the teachings we studied yesterday were revolutionary, hold on, for today gets even crazier! Jesus has already turned the idea of retaliation on its head. Now he orders us to love our enemies and pray for them. Say what???

44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Now Jesus is not merely ordering us to refuse to take revenge but he’s even advising that we PRAY, asking God to bless those who persecute us, who despitefully use us. Jesus isn’t merely talking about people who mildly offend us but who actively attack us, making our lives miserable. Why would Jesus say such a thing?

There are all kinds of sayings about revenge such as “Revenge is a dish best served cold,” indicating that you should brood over someone’s offense, plotting your revenge. But this idea is ridiculous, for the longer you brood, the more unhappy you make yourself. Someone has said that “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.” Brood long enough and you will find you’re developing ulcers, heart conditions, and even immune disorders that leave your body racked with pain.

When we pray for those who have hurt us, we are not only forgiving them but also releasing God’s blessings on them and on ourselves. It’s a sad mistake to assume that God’s blessings will be only physical ones or financial ones and not spiritual ones as well.

I’ve told the story before but it’s worth repeating. During my surgery residency, I was forced to care for one of the most miserable and ungrateful men I had ever met. This man had a large diabetic ulcer on one foot, and it was my task to remove dead tissue and re-dress that ulcer every day. Inevitably, my patient was not at all grateful but complained bitterly, insulting me and making my work more difficult. Because I had recently re-dedicated my life to Christ, I persisted in praying for this man. Gradually, the insults slowed and then stopped. I knew God was working in my patient’s life when he began asking to attend chapel services at the hospital. Meanwhile, my attitude towards this man underwent a complete change, and I began seeing him as a father, a grandfather, and a person of value. Prayer changed both my patient and me.

45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Think about it. Whether we even acknowledge God as our Creator or the One True Living God, whether we believe that Jesus Christ has shed his blood to pay for our sins, God still gives us a multitude of good things. God does not limit sunshine to those who love and serve him but distributes freely to all. If we claim to be children of God, we must act like our Heavenly Father and not copy those around us. Saint Paul is a perfect example, for when he was in prison in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier, he prayed for his guards and witnessed to them. In Philippians 1:12-13 Paul writes, “12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”

But what if someone is trying to kill us? Well, while Jesus was being crucified, he prayed for his Heavenly Father to forgive those who were killing him because they didn’t know what they were doing. While Saint Stephen was being stoned to death, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”

There is no greater prayer than to ask God to bless someone, for when you begin to ask God’s blessings on someone else, God can also bless you. Again, the measure of the blessings you ask for someone else indicates the amount of blessings God can release for you as well. When you ask God to bless someone, you are relinquishing your ideas about what should happen to that person and allowing God to have His way instead. May God help us to pray for those who persecute us, no matter how difficult it might be.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to release those who persecute us to You, knowing that You can help them far more than we can. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 5: Teaching about Revenge

38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

At this point, Jesus’ listeners are getting restless. Sure, everybody knows about the concept of “an eye for an eye;” however, this phrase means different things to different members of the crowd. The concept here is known as Lex talionis, and it has been described in both the Code of Hammurabi and the Ten Commandments. AI tells us about the Code of Hammurabi.

The Code of Hammurabi predates the Ten Commandments. The Code of Hammurabi, which dates back to around 1754 BCE, is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. In contrast, the Ten Commandments are believed to have been given to Moses around the 13th century BCE, during the Exodus from Egypt, as described in the Bible. While both sets of laws share some similarities, they emerged from different cultural and historical contexts. The Code of Hammurabi established the principle of “an eye for an eye” as a form of justice. This concept, known as Lex Talionis, was intended to ensure that punishments were proportional to the offenses committed. Specifically, it stated that if a person caused harm to another, the punishment should mirror the injury inflicted. For instance, if a free man gouged out the eye of another free man, he would face the same consequence.

The code also included distinctions based on social status, meaning that the penalties could vary depending on whether the individuals involved were nobles, commoners, or slaves. This complexity indicates that the principle was not merely about revenge but aimed at maintaining social order and fairness.

By comparison, the Mosaic Law was intended to LIMIT retribution, rather than mirroring it. While the Code of Hammurabi was intended to make sure the perpetrator suffered to the same degree as the victim, the Mosaic Law evolved into a different interpretation. (According to Chabad.org, in later centuries, Jewish practices would evolve to allow monetary compensation along with an apology.) “OK,” Jesus,” the people on the hillside think. “So what?” But what Jesus says next turns everything these people think they know on its head.

39 “But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” In Jesus’ day, there were different kinds of slaps. A slap given with an open palm was a minor affair; however, a slap given by the back of the hand was considered an “insult slap” and punishable by a very heavy find according to the Mishnah BK 8.6. Here Jesus is advising his followers to forgive insults rather than seeking retribution. But Jesus is not ordering anyone to ignore evil. Laws are there for a reason and one of the functions of government is to protect the innocent while punishing those guilty of crimes.

40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. Now Jesus’ listeners are REALLY shocked! Court cases are notorious, for if the judge is corrupt, you can lose everything down to the garment you wear under your coat. Now Jesus is advising those who are already smarting from injustice to compound the injustice. Does Jesus mean everybody who gets sued should leave the court naked? No.

41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.

There is a regulation allowing a Roman soldier to demand any passer-by to carry his gear for one mile. Now Jesus is advising that passer-by should do twice as much, carrying the gear two miles instead. In all of these examples, Jesus is teaching us to make free choices in love rather than clutching to everything we have while we mentally calculate the minimal amount we must give in any situation. That premise becomes evident in Jesus’ next pronouncement.

42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. We are to give out of love; however, this does not mean we must yield to manipulation. My husband was once on the streets of Memphis when a man came up to him, asking for $10 with a story about a broken-down vehicle. My husband prayed quickly and then gave the man the money; however, he also told the man that he did not believe that story but that God had told him to give the man the money in the Name of Jesus. On the other hand, we have also refused to donate when we have felt the request only stemmed from calculated manipulation.

Living in an area where most of our neighbors are impoverished brings all kinds of challenges. We don’t have unlimited funds and must pray before donating. We do assist indigent patients with medical bills and feeding and we also help students in health-related courses with school fees. But again, we must pray before committing ourselves. Even though we have tried to be prudent through the years, we have occasionally found ourselves being used. For example, we belatedly learned that one man for whom we were paying seminary fees was also sourcing money from two other missionary couples! Needless to say, this man was a smooth talker who could have charmed the birds right off the trees. We only learned of the deception when one of the other missionaries mentioned his support for this man in passing. And that brings up another challenge.

Sooner or later, you are likely to find that you have been manipulated and ripped off. What can you do then? Our response is to release the money to Jesus, for it was in his Name that we gave it in the first place. That way, we don’t have to succumb to bitterness and we leave Jesus to sort out the manipulator. One of the laws of the Kingdom of Heaven is that the measure you give out is the measure you will receive. When you are generous and have been manipulated through no fault of your own, God still sees your generosity and knows that your heart was pure when you gave the money. But once you have identified someone as a manipulator, you aren’t obligated to give them anything else. Don’t confuse acting in love with acting in stupidity. May God help each one of us so that we continue to act lovingly but wisely!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You to show us when to give and when not to give. Help us to always act on the side of love, even if we find ourselves used and abused. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 5: Teaching about Vows

33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

“I swear to God!” “God being my judge!” Every language has its own set of vows that have grown up through the years. And there are times when vows are necessary-testifying in court or before a legislative body, for example. But the vast majority of our vows are inconsequential, unnecessary, and dishonoring to God.

Although Moses gave the commandment “You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain,” the Pharisees twisted that statement so that people could swear false oaths by any other name. Here Jesus points out that everything and anything people might refer to in an oath is part of God’s creation; therefore, ultimately these people are swearing by God whether or not they realize it. Yet another problem is that frequently, colorful oaths are used to mask deceptive statements in an attempt to convince the hearers of an untruth. Think of the rhetoric of unscrupulous used car salesmen or those involved in shady land deals.

Are there times when oaths are allowed? Certainly. David Guzik tells us:

i. Some have taken this word of Jesus as more than an emphasis on truth-telling and honesty as an absolute prohibition of all oaths. This is misguided, because oaths are permitted under certain circumstances, as long as they are not abused and used as a cover for deception.

· God Himself swears oaths: Hebrews 6:13 and Luke 1:73.

· Jesus spoke under oath in a court: Matthew 26:63-64.

· Paul made oaths: Romans 1:9, 2 Corinthians 1:23, Galatians 1:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:5.

ii. “The truly good man will never need to take an oath; the truth of his sayings and the reality of his promises need no such guarantee. But the fact that oaths are still sometimes necessary is the proof that men are not good men and that this is not a good world.” (Barclay) (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-5/)

At the end of the day, it is far better to follow Jesus’ advice to “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”

We read that last statement and think that Jesus is simply using a figure of speech. No! There are all kinds of ways in which we can open ourselves to satanic attack, and Jesus never says anything without a purpose. Here Jesus warns us that careless vows can open us to evil. WHY?

During World War II, there was a saying that “Loose lips sink ships!” This motto was used to warn citizens that gossiping about sensitive topics related to the war effort might inadvertently inform foreign spies who would then use that information to plan attacks. In the same way, when we insist on employing unnecessary oaths in an effort to sway someone’s opinion or to gain an advantage over them, we are exposing our souls to evil. Sometimes we can become so focused on convincing someone that we begin exaggerating benefits while swearing every more fervent oaths. In such circumstances, we can find ourselves promising things we cannot possibly deliver and find ourselves in deep trouble.

So, follow Jesus’ advice and say a simple “Yes, I will” or “No, I won’t.” Don’t allow your loose lips to lead you into trouble!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remember You are watching everything we say. Help us to speak only those things that honor You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 5: Teaching about Adultery

27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

LUST! It’s as old as the human race and very deadly. In the Ten Commandments, God orders “You must not commit adultery.” But what if you have never physically committed adultery but have thought about it, perhaps even obsessing about it? What if you look at someone with a beautiful body and begin lusting after them and imagining having sex with them? According to Jesus, thoughts precede acts. Even though Jesus warns men against looking at women with lust in their hearts, the same warning applies equally to women.

Ever notice that when we want to do something we know is wrong, we immediately begin making excuses? “I’m just fantasizing.” “I’m not really going to do anything about it.” “I’m not REALLY hurting anybody.” “I can’t help myself.” “A little lust is actually natural.” If you must begin making excuses, you already realize you are considering something that is wrong.

Here Jesus is saying that even thinking about adultery is sinful and that we should take any measures necessary to avoid continuing down that path, even to the point of maiming ourselves rather than persisting in such thoughts.

“But,” you whine, “how am I supposed to stop thinking such things?” Ask God to help you. As soon as you sense a lustful thought beginning to enter your mind, pray “Lord, thank You that it’s Your will for me to have pure thoughts. Please help me to focus on You and not on lust.” Many times, Satan suggests lustful thoughts to us, nudging to see if we will participate and begin claiming those thoughts as our own. One tactic I have found highly successful is to counter with prayers for the salvation of those around me or prayers for revival. Pray long enough and Satan will go tempt someone else.

How else can you protect yourself? Be careful about the social media or videos or TV programs you view or the books you read. Philippians 4:8 tells us to meditate on those things that are “true, just, honest, pure, lovely, and of good report.” For my husband and me, reading is one of our main forms of recreation. If I realize a book is suggestive or has bad language, I will warn my husband and he will do the same for me. We hold each other accountable.

But what about commercials? True, advertisers shamelessly employ sex in an attempt to sell almost anything; however, you don’t have to pay attention. As soon as that commercial comes on, mute the TV or your phone or your computer. Fast forward through the commercials if possible.

These days, there are short stories on social media. Although the stories might be engaging, many times once you click on the link to complete the story, you find yourself exposed to pornographic material. The best thing to do is to eliminate all those sources, realizing that clicking on a link might also expose your phone or computer to viruses in addition.

Addiction to online pornography can happen to anyone. One godly pastor of our acquaintance found himself addicted and struggled for years before conquering that addiction. Sadly, that spiritual battle weakened his body to such an extent that eventually he succumbed to cancer.

There’s an old Sunday School song that warns us “Be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down in love. So be careful little eyes what you see.” We could equally sing “Be careful little mind what you think.” God wants all of your thought life to be pure without need for excuses.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please help us to think the thoughts You want us to. Keep our hearts and minds pure and free from lust. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 5: Teaching about Anger

21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court.

Today, insults are common; however, things were different in Jesus’ day. Insulting someone could land you in court. An AI search reveals the following: In biblical times, calling someone a fool could indeed have serious consequences, including legal repercussions. This is particularly highlighted in Matthew 5:22, where Jesus warns that calling someone a “fool” can lead to being taken to court and facing judgment. This reflects the cultural and legal context of the time, where insults were seen as serious offenses that could escalate to legal action.

Context of the Term Fool

• Moral Implications: The term “fool” in biblical texts often denotes not just a lack of intelligence but a moral or spiritual deficiency, making it a significant insult.
• Spiritual Liability: Calling someone a fool can create spiritual liability for the speaker, as it attempts to dehumanize the other person and dismiss them from God’s grace.

Legal and Social Consequences

• Judgment and Court: The admonition in Matthew 5:22 indicates that such insults could lead to trials, emphasizing the seriousness of the act.
• Cultural Norms: Insults were not taken lightly, and the community often held individuals accountable for their words, reflecting the importance of maintaining social harmony.

And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

What about cursing someone else? Cursing was viewed as speaking harm or degradation over another person, which was considered sinful (James 3:9-10). The Bible also condemns practices like sorcery, definitely involved invoking curses on others.

 Deuteronomy 18:9-12 tells us, “9 When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the Lord your God.”

So far, the crowd is with Jesus for he’s reminding them of things they already know. But now Jesus becomes revolutionary, for he shifts from condemning acts of anger to condemning thoughts of anger.

23 “So, if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”

Note the fault here is that of the person who is about to offer a sacrifice to God but who suddenly realizes that he/she has offended someone else. The would-be worshiper must first repent and reconcile with the offended person before that act of worship will be worth anything. Remember that God knows hearts and God knows if someone is coming to Him dragging sins of offense behind them. No sacrifice will be sufficient to give someone a free pass to avoid reconciliation.

What doesn’t this verse mean? This verse does not refer to insults you feel you have suffered from someone else. I was once in a service where someone came up to me demanding I should apologize to them for a slight I had never intended and did not remember. Their purpose? They wanted their heart to be clean, so they wanted me to confess so they could then forgive me and then take communion.

That’s not how this process works. First of all, if this individual felt I had offended them, they should have tried to meet with me privately and tell me. Chances are excellent that I had blundered and had had no intention of hurting them. I could then have apologized and the matter would have been settled. Second, you can’t wait until you are in the middle of a worship service and then demand an apology; resolution might involve a longer process and the situation must be fully resolved before either party will be fit to worship.

But what if the offense is so long-standing that the injured party has died? At that point, we must pray and ask God to show us how we can reconcile with surviving family members. Never assume that the memory of an offense dies with the injured party, for other friends and family may be fully aware of the offense. This is also why we should reconcile as quickly as possible. Offenses that are not brought into the light of forgiveness don’t diminish, but fester, creating spiritual abscesses. Only when we seek God’s help and apologize are things made right. And Jesus continues to give us more reasons to reconcile swiftly.

25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.” The mere fact that we think we are righteous does not guarantee righteousness. Here Jesus is speaking of all kinds of debts, whether financial or moral ones. You can almost see Jesus grinning at the crowd as he reminds them that they surely won’t be free until they have paid the last penny.

The meme at the beginning of this devotional says, “He who angers you, controls you.” That could be expanded to read, “Whatever angers you, controls you.” Later, in Ephesians 4:26-27, Paul will write “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”

The longer we remain angry with someone or something, the more chance Satan has to work in our hearts, multiplying resentment and hatred. Luke 6:37-38 tells us, 37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

This principle could be re-stated as “What goes around, comes around.” If we give our anger, we can expect others will attack us. When we give out peace and reconciliation, others will generally respond in kind. Of course, there are exceptions, and terrorist attacks are notable exceptions. But we are not responsible for the reactions of others; we are responsible for our own actions.

When we allow anger to control us, we are allowing Satan to lead us by the nose. When we reconcile swiftly and peacefully, we are allowing God to guide us. The choice is simple: anger will destroy us, but peace heals and refreshes. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to forgive others quickly and confess our sins and reconcile swiftly also. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 5:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Well, the people listening to Jesus are confused again. Fine, so Jesus has not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. Everybody knows that Moses and the prophets received their writings from God. But now Jesus claims he is coming to fulfill those teachings. This claim is revolutionary, for no rabbi or scribe has ever made such a claim before. Essentially, Jesus is claiming to be the Messiah, for only the Messiah can fulfill the Scriptures. And now Jesus adds insult to injury for teachers who have emphasized petty items while ignoring God’s main messages.

18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is when some of the scribes and teachers of the Law begin quietly squirming. Originally, the Jews incurred exile to Babylon because they abandoned worshiping the One True Living God for idol worship and all the practices against which God had warned them. The Jewish Virtual Library gives this information: “But the Jews in Babylon also creatively remade themselves and their world view. In particular, they blamed the disaster of the Exile on their own impurity. They had betrayed Yahweh and allowed the Mosaic laws and cultic practices to become corrupt; the Babylonian Exile was proof of Yahweh’s displeasure. During this period, Jewish leaders no longer spoke about a theology of judgment, but a theology of salvation. In texts such as Ezekiel and Isaiah, there is talk that the Israelites would be gathered together once more, their society and religion purified, and the unified Davidic kingdom be re-established.” https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-babylonian-exile

In a passionate attempt to define holiness, Jewish teachers developed all kinds of practices that Moses never prescribed. Over time, many of these practices assumed so much importance that God’s original intentions wound up being ignored. Sincere believers with limited resources found it increasingly difficult and frustrating, for as soon as they began observing one set of rules, other rules popped up as well. Those who truly wished to worship God found themselves trying to worship while feeling like absolute failures at the same time, a miserable situation. God intended his people to worship joyfully; meanwhile, for many, the burden of guilt was almost intolerable.

Much later, in Matthew 23, Jesus spoke out against teachers who major on minors while neglecting God’s emphasis on love and charity. Matthew 23:1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden…13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.

15 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!

16 “Blind guides! What sorrow awaits you! For you say that it means nothing to swear ‘by God’s Temple,’ but that it is binding to swear ‘by the gold in the Temple.’ 17 Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding. 19 How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 When you swear ‘by the altar,’ you are swearing by it and by everything on it. 21 And when you swear ‘by the Temple,’ you are swearing by it and by God, who lives in it. 22 And when you swear ‘by heaven,’ you are swearing by the throne of God and by God, who sits on the throne.

23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. 24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!

Even the non-Jews in the crowd were aware of some of the complicated rules of the Pharisees. Now Jesus would make an incredible statement. “20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”

If Jesus had simply stopped his teaching at that point, the entire audience would have left broken-hearted, feeling more frustration than they had when they came. But Jesus would continue, explaining how truly righteous behavior should appear. But Jesus made this provocative statement precisely because he was about to enter into some revolutionary teachings.

When Jesus was speaking to the crowd on that hillside, he was speaking out of love and joy, not criticism and judgment. Many times, we might imagine Jesus standing and haranguing the crowd, but he did exactly the opposite. Jesus sat with his followers sitting around him while the rest of the crowd sat as well. And Jesus taught passionately but lovingly, smiling and possibly even winking his eye as he taught. While Matthew and Luke both preserved the main points of the Sermon on the Mount, it’s possible that Jesus spiced his teachings by quoting local proverbs that would have got the crowd chuckling while engaging their attention. You can almost imagine Matthew trying to take notes after it was over and saying to himself, “Well, that was funny, but it’s not necessary to keep that joke in the record.”

So, for today, we join that crowd on the hillside. We too want to ask Jesus, “Well, if I have to be more righteous than prominent religious leaders, how can I possibly do that? I’m sunk!” Tomorrow we’ll see how Jesus addresses this problem.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we praise You for sending Jesus to shed his blood for our sins so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 5: 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Today, we take salt for granted. Go to a good supermarket and you’ll be amazed at all the choices in the salt section. Estimates suggest there are over 40 distinct varieties of edible salts globally. These include common types like table salt, sea salt, and kosher salt, as well as specialty salts such as Himalayan pink salt, fleur de sel, and black salt. Each type varies in flavor, texture, and mineral content, making them suitable for different culinary applications.

Salt holds profound significance in the Bible, symbolizing various spiritual and covenantal truths. In the Old Testament, salt was used in sacrifices to symbolize the permanence of God’s covenant with His people. Salt was essential for preserving food, preventing decay, and thus represented purity and faithfulness. It also served as a metaphor for preventing moral decay in society. In ancient cultures, salt was a valuable commodity, used in trade and as a seasoning, highlighting its necessity for life. It was also involved in ceremonial offerings, emphasizing its sacred role. (AI summary) In modern times, salt in saline solutions continues to be administered to hospital patients throughout the world and used in cleaning and dressing wounds.

According to Jesus, believers were to be agents of righteousness, purifying and healing society. And to doubly emphasize this point, Jesus continued with a second parable.

 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Today, our vehicles have powerful headlights and we can drive in the dark without fear. But in an earlier age, travelers who became “benighted,” failing to reach their destinations before dark, had to hope they would see the city lights in the distance so they would know which direction to go. The story is told of an early missionary to Ghana who was building his home on top of a tall hill. Each night, he lit a campfire, until the night he traveled to see his family. What this missionary didn’t know was that one local farmer had come to count on seeing the missionary’s campfire as a means of finding his way back to his home village. The morning the missionary returned after being gone the previous night, this man confronted the missionary, complaining bitterly that without the light from that campfire to guide him home, he had wandered in the bush until daylight.

While we might find this story charming, it should actually serve as a warning. We never know how many people are looking to us for guidance. If we fail to shine, we deprive these people of direction and hope. One of the rules of the Kingdom of God is that we are to be channels of grace, pouring out to others.

While Jesus’ followers might have been hoping they would be able to take a passive role with God doing all the heavy lifting, Jesus was warning them that was not the case. If we have allowed God to change us according to the attributes listed in the Beatitudes, we must next allow Him to use us as He wishes. Sir William Wilberforce is a prime example. Wilberforce was a Member of the British Parliament who got saved in 1785 and became involved in efforts to stop the British slave trade. The struggle took 20 years; however, Britain stopped importing slaves into the country with the Slave Trade Act 1807. Not content with this achievement, Wilberforce continued to campaign for the abolition of the slave trade throughout the entire British Empire. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 finally passed only three days before Wilberforce died.

Wilberforce was not merely concerned about the slave trade but also championed causes and campaigns such as the Society for the Suppression of Vice, British missionary work in India, the creation of a free colony in Sierra Leone, the foundation of the Church Mission Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Founded in 1799, the Church Mission Society continues to work throughout the world today. There are thousands of SPCA groups all over the world. Truly, William Wilberforce served as light and salt, leaving a spiritual heritage of kindness and charity.

In 1971, a musical called Godspell based on the Book of Matthew, became popular. While writing this devotional, I found myself remembering these words.

You are the light of the world!
You are the light of the world!
But if that light is under a bushel,
It’s lost something kind of crucial
You’ve got to stay bright to be the light of the world

You are the salt of the earth
You are the salt of the earth
But if that salt has lost its flavor
It ain’t got much in its favor
You can’t have that fault and be the salt of the earth!

(chorus)
So let your light so shine before men
Let your light so shine
So that they might know some kindness again
We all need help to feel fine (let’s have some wine!)

You are the city of God
You are the city of God
But if that city’s on a hill
It’s kinda hard to hide it well
You’ve got to stay pretty in the city of God

You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world
But the tallest candlestick
Ain’t much good without a wick
You’ve got to live right to be the light of the world

PRAYER Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be salt and light wherever we go. Let us be a blessing to all those around us every day of our lives, and let us love You more each day than we did the day before. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.