Anger Management
With Matthew 5:20 as the backdrop we’ll explore the six examples Jesus gives of how he came not to destroy the law of Moses but to bring about what God intended.
The first example focuses on anger.
Matthew 5:21-26 (NCV) “You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone. Anyone who murders another will be judged.’ But I tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell. “So when you offer your gift to God at the altar, and you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there at the altar. Go and make peace with that person, and then come and offer your gift. “If your enemy is taking you to court, become friends quickly, before you go to court. Otherwise, your enemy might turn you over to the judge, and the judge might give you to a guard to put you in jail. I tell you the truth, you will not leave there until you have paid everything you owe.”
The first concept that intrigues me about this passage is becoming friends quickly with an enemy prior to going to court. So I become friends with my enemy not because I want to be friends but simply so I can avoid jail time?
I wonder if there is a connection between this train of thought and the parable of the shrewd manager?
Maybe that restaurant owner in Agoura Hills should have become “quick friends” with the husband of the wife who fell out of one of his booths.
sounds a bit like settling out of court.
if it is a look at motivation: what reason do we have to befriend (or even love) an enemy? enemies are expendable (and easy to trade in for a newer or different model)… and well, they are enemies, for good reason! does not feel too unnatural, does it? –and even if it does, i am not terribly motivated (for other reasons) to not let it go. where is my motivation..or rather, whom? the judge…fear of inhibiting my relationship (or inhibiting my righteousness?–if that fits someone.)
upon first reading that little “court scenario” i am automatically assuming that the “You” is in the right… what if the “You” is not in the right? and the Judge is being fair? the use of “enemies” is a perception not made by the Judge but by the “You”? perhaps ‘enemies’ is merely those with whom a barrier has been made (through an action) and ‘friends’ is without said barrier.
and then i consider “you will not leave there until you have paid everything you owe.” –everything you owe… take your humility now, in the presence of ‘the enemy’, or take it later when the impossibility seems greater?..
anywho… am not readily recalling “the shrewd manager” there are a few i tend to confuse..