Mark Sorensen It’s a risky thing messing with an original product, right? It was 31 years ago that Coca-Cola decided to launch an all-new Coke formula, scrapping the original and heading a different direction. Any guesses as to how that went over? Here’s a hint. You are NOT drinking the new formula today. It’s a risky thing changing or adding to the original formula. Some things shouldn’t be tampered with.
Apparently, Jesus never got that memo. In Matthew 5, Jesus is preaching His famous Sermon on the Mount passage. In it, He references the original Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20, and then, unexpectedly, Jesus adds to it. Don’t you know people twisted around and thought, “Did He just do that?” Read on.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment… Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:21,23)
“Thou shalt not murder.” Yep. People knew that one. Nothing new there. But, on the heels of this command, Jesus adds the following: If anyone holds anger against someone, they’re subject to the same judgement as the one who murders. In fact, if you bring judgment, anger, resentment into the church, it doesn’t belong there. Jesus says that before you bring your worship, you must lay down your bitterness and resentment, go to the one with whom you have a problem with, and then forgive. And what follows? The freedom to stand before the Lord and bring your true heart of worship.
We’re approaching Easter Sunday and the Lenten season is coming to a close. What I have learned about Lent? It’s a beautifully challenging season of reflection and contemplation. But there’s something else attached to it. Lent can also be an amazing season of freedom. Where’s anger in your life? Who is it directed at? Maybe it’s time to do something about that anger.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Love something that Nelson Mandela said in regards to anger and resentment. “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”[/pullquote]
Remember, God has never been a fan of oppression, darkness and slavery. That’s exactly what anger can do to a heart if it’s not addressed and forgiven. Today, may you follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Pray over that anger, that wrong that was committed against you, that grudge, that resentment. And then? Make the call. Have the hard conversation. Forgive. And then? Live and love out of the freedom you’ve found.
