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Anger and revenge are never best

October 8, 2024
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Daily Scripture

Matthew 5:21-26, 38-48

“Do Unto Others” campaign
This week, after the first sermon in the “Do Unto Others” series, we’re reading nearly all of Jesus’ “platform,” the Sermon on the Mount. Daily readings are a bit longer than usual, but we believe you’ll find it valuable to have an overview of the principles Jesus said build the best possible life.

21 “You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don’t commit murder [Exodus 20:13], and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment. 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift. 25 Be sure to make friends quickly with your opponents while you are with them on the way to court. Otherwise, they will haul you before the judge, the judge will turn you over to the officer of the court, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 I say to you in all seriousness that you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid the very last penny.

38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth [Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21]. 39 But I say to you that you must not oppose those who want to hurt you. If people slap you on your right cheek, you must turn the left cheek to them as well. 40 When they wish to haul you to court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. 41 When they force you to go one mile, go with them two. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor [Leviticus 19:18] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you 45 so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.

Daily Reflection & Prayer

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus took familiar teachings and turned them on their head. He was not just tweaking old rules; he was introducing a whole new way of living. In our divided world, where political ads and social media often fuel hostility, Jesus’ teachings are a practical guide for how to treat others, even those we disagree with. He called people to seek reconciliation, not revenge. Be like God, he said, loving tirelessly rather than settling scores.

  • John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, said Jesus called us to be “perfect in love,” always growing toward loving with God’s all-inclusive love. He rejected the idea that “perfect” meant never sinning (missing the mark). Does it challenge you more, or less, to think that being “complete” or “perfect” is about the state of your heart rather than just about your outward actions?
  • Jesus challenged his followers to go beyond avoiding violence by emphasizing the need to address conflicts and seek peace in relationships. This was radical love, not mainly about warm feelings but about actively working to restore harmony by treating others with respect and kindness. In our current divisive climate, how can you show Christ-like love to someone you disagree with this week? What step(s) could you take this week to initiate reconciliation?
Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to be truly righteous, not just to look that way from the outside. Reshape me from the inside out to fully live as your loving child and obedient servant. Amen.

GPS Insights

Picture of Denise Mersmann

Denise Mersmann

Denise Mersmann serves as the Care Coordination Director for the churchwide Care Central department at Church of the Resurrection.

 

When I was growing up my mom always said, “It’s as bad to think it as it is to say it”.

In my head–because she would not have appreciated my view on her advice–I always thought, you get in a lot more trouble for saying it, so I will just keep thinking it. My focus was less on what was right or wrong to think or say, and more on what the consequences would be if I said it out loud.

Through the years there have been a lot of times where I thought something that I shouldn’t have thought, and many times when I have actually said things that I shouldn’t have said. There are still a lot of my prayers that center around “God, forgive me for thinking / saying what I said. It was unkind and I wish I could take it back”.

As we all know, when speaking, especially in anger, once something is said, it’s said. As soon as the words are out, there are no take backs. But that’s another thing I have learned along the way. Speaking harshly to someone impacts them and it impacts me. And it doesn’t impact either of us in a positive way. If the words I speak are unkind or insulting, they cause damage. Even with the sincerest apology, my words have still inflicted harm on someone’s heart. The damage has been done.

In addition to the impact my words have on others, they also take a huge toll on me. Those words weaken my relationship with God. They make me feel distant because I am not following his commandments. I am not loving my neighbor or turning the other cheek. I feel like I am not doing any of the things that God calls me to do to grow in my faith. Suddenly, I am turning away rather than towards God. I am embarrassed and ashamed of my actions.

My reaction is not unlike how I used to feel when I had done something to disappoint my parents. I didn’t want to face them, not because they wouldn’t forgive me, but because I wanted to be my best for them. Looking back, I think my mom knew that cruel words, whether thought or spoken, erode our relationship with God. You see, even if I am just thinking something bad, in my heart I know that I am falling short of my best. I am not living a life of love.

My mom was one of the smartest people I have ever known. She loved people in big and small ways. She respected people who were different from us. Mom used her words to build people up and encourage them. Not a day goes by that I don’t wish I could have one more chat with my mom. I would ask for her advice, I would seek her direction, I would tell her how much I love her and how much I hope to be like her.

Until the time comes that I see my mom again, I will just focus on having those chats with God. I will seek his direction. I will tell him how much I love him, and I hope to move a little closer each day to becoming the person he would like me to be. And I hope that someday my kids look back on advice I have given them, and it brings them a little closer to God.

© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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