Daily Devotional (GPS)
From Seething Anger to Peace Through Christ
Daily Scripture
Matthew 5:21-24
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.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Today is Ash Wednesday
As we enter the sacred season of Lent, we invite you to join us for our contemplative Ash Wednesday service. Through the traditional imposition of ashes, moments of quiet reflection, and heartfelt prayer, we’ll begin our 40-day journey toward Easter together. Click here for details on times and locations.
Jesus quoted the sixth commandment: “Don’t commit murder” (Exodus 20:13). Then he vastly widened its reach from actions to thoughts. He said emphatically that contempt, anger, and words that tear down others are as morally vicious as physical murder. Harboring those feelings harms others but also damages us greatly. Jesus lived this truth—he didn’t seek to kill his foes but willingly laid down his life for them.
- Scholar William Barclay said Jesus first reproved “the anger over which a person broods and… will not allow to die;” then the Aramaic raca [idiot], which “describes a tone… the whole accent of contempt;” and finally the Greek mōros [fool]: “To call a man mōros was… to cast aspersions on his moral character; to take his name and reputation.” * Would Jesus respond similarly to the angry words we see hurled on social media today—words we may even join in speaking?
- Jesus didn’t just say “bite your tongue.” Scholar N. T. Wright said Jesus gave “two remarkably specific, practical commands: Be reconciled; make friends.” But this seems impossible “until you look at Jesus,” who “took the anger of his enemies within Israel, and of Israel’s own enemies, the Romans, on to himself, and died under its load.” ** Are you willing to let Jesus’ Spirit reshape your inner self to be patient with frustrating people or give up the need to always be “right”?
Prayer
Loving Jesus, I want to protest, “You don’t know the people I deal with.” But when I see how people defamed and hated you, I realize you understand completely. Chip away my resistance and reshape my thoughts and feelings in your image. Amen.
GPS Insights
Gwyn Thomas
Gwyn Thomas, who serves as Director of Donor Relations at Resurrection, wrote today's Insights. She is a Boston native who’s happily adjusted to Midwestern life. She loves working in ministry alongside her husband Blake, a Congregational Care Pastor at Resurrection Leawood. They enjoy life with their two children, and an unapologetically large orange cat named Tuna. When she’s not chasing toddlers, she enjoys pottery, traveling, and finding new favorite restaurants.
I remember when I was finally in a place to communicate how anger feels in my body. In college, my university offered free counseling sessions through the on-site counseling program (not unlike the counseling services that Resurrection offers). I was young and on my own, living 1,000 miles away from Boston, which was home at the time. It was the first time I had distance from my family, and through meeting new people, I began to realize that some of what I experienced at home wasn’t what a healthy home could look like. Being an East Coaster, I often chalked up the environment of my house to your typical New York, Boston, Irish, Italian family… We were loud and we were hot-tempered.
It wasn’t unusual for someone to comment on how different I was from my family. I would hear how gentle, calm, quiet, and easygoing I was. I even remember someone telling me I reminded them of the Midwest! Imagine my surprise when I found myself in the Midwest and everyone was commenting on how east coast I was. I was sensitive to getting too passionate about anything because it looked like anger from the outside. When I did get angry, I felt scared of the emotion. I asked my new counselor if it was healthy to be angry.
To be honest, I can’t remember exactly what he told me. I’m sure it was wise. What I do remember was the relief I felt simply naming that anger feels unnatural in my body, and if I let it sit for too long, it begins to scare me. The anger I had seen in my life often turned into grudges, a lack of forgiveness, regrettable decisions or words that could never be taken back. I didn’t want anger to have that kind of power over me. I wanted to learn how to release it in a way that honored both my heart and my relationships and felt more in line with what God desires for me.
I love that Jesus invites us to bring everything to the altar and also gives us permission to leave it there. Our worries, our sadness, our anger… all of it. He invites us to trust that peace matters more than what we are holding onto. I’m not perfect at it. Even writing this reflection is a reminder for me. What are you holding that Jesus is inviting you to release today? Let’s release it together.
What is the GPS?
Resurrection offers a free tool for those who wish to read the Bible daily. Our Grow/Pray/Study guide (GPS) provides a Bible reading, Scripture reflections based on the passage, inspirational quotes from leading Bible scholars, questions to help readers apply the Bible to their faith journey, and a daily prayer guide at the end of each day’s reflection. Many readers have told us the GPS has strengthened their spiritual growth and helped them better understand how to let the Bible guide them in Christian living.
