Matthew 5:20–26
Jesus
said, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes
and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that
it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever
murders shall be liable to judgement.’ But I say to you that if you are angry
with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a
brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You
fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your
gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something
against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled
to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms
quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your
accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you
will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you
have paid the last penny.”
Reflection
Do
I find Jesus is demanding too much? How
do I feel about his words?
Do
I realize that my judgments always lead to comparison, and comparisons lead to
pride, and pride leads me away from God and others?