Matthew 5:24

Friday, 29 November 2024

leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:24

“You leave, there, your gift before the altar, and you depart. First, you reconcile to your brother, and then, having come, you present your gift” (CG).

The previous verse began a thought that continues in this verse. Jesus started by saying that if someone was to bring his gift to the altar and at that time remember that his brother has something against him, then, as He next says, “You leave, there, your gift before the altar, and you depart.”

The idea here is that whatever the purpose of the gift, be it atonement, fellowship, etc., it is better to delay the presentation of that gift than it is to proceed in offering it. Remembering that Jesus said just a few verses ago, “For I say to you, that if not it might excel – your righteousness – above the scribes and Pharisees, no – not – should you enter into the kingdom of the heavens.”

The scribes and the Pharisees were concerned about externals. The appearance of their supposed piety before the people was of the highest value to them. This is seen, for example, in Jesus’ words of Matthew 23 –

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.” Matthew 23:2-7

Their consciousness towards the things of God and proper fellowship with others was sorely lacking. Therefore, when they came forward with a gift, it would be with their head held high and in a manner that would make everyone stop and watch. To them, the external act was what mattered. This attitude is seen in Isaiah 1:10-17, and it is what the Lord vehemently spoke against.

But Jesus, in accord with the word of the Lord through Isaiah (and elsewhere), told His disciples that the external act, without the right internal attitude, was to be put on hold. Leave the gift at the altar... God will not be offended! Rather, He will be pleased if “First, you reconcile to your brother, and then, having come, you present your gift.”

The brother had something against him. The Lord expected harmony among brothers and sincerity in the heart. As for the word translated as “reconcile,” it is found only here in Scripture, diallassó. It is derived from dia, through or thoroughly, and allasso, to change, alter, transform, etc. Thus, it means to change thoroughly. For example, one is to mentally reconcile. But that mental state can only happen when there is a harmonious agreement between the offended party and the offender.

This internal state of being properly prepared to approach the altar is seen in the words of David in Psalm 26. Though he doesn’t address personal conflict with a brother, he gives the sense of what it means to be right in one’s conduct before approaching the altar –

“Vindicate me, O Lord,
For I have walked in my integrity.
I have also trusted in the Lord;
I shall not slip.
2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.
4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,
Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence;
So I will go about Your altar, O Lord.” Psalm 26:1-6

The implication from David’s words is that if he did the things he noted, such as sitting with idolatrous mortals, then he would not be right with God. His appearance at the altar would be unacceptable. Jesus is saying that this is true when a state of enmity existed between the offeror and someone he should be reconciled to.

Life application: In the instruction for the Lord’s Supper, Paul says he received his instruction from the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:23). In his instruction, he does not tell the one who has come to the table that he must depart and be reconciled to his brother first. But what he does instruct is that a right internal attitude must exist. That is found in the words, “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:27, 28).

This examination should involve a careful evaluation of how one has acted, the things he has said that may have been unsound, unloving, or improper, one’s conduct towards others and toward the Lord, and so forth.

If we come to the table with an attitude that says, “I am a Christian, and I deserve this,” we have come with the wrong attitude. We have failed the Lord, we have thought and done things that were inappropriate, etc. The body of the Lord was nailed to a cross for us. The blood of the Lord was shed for our sins. His death (signified by His blood) occurred so that we could be reconciled to God.

To suppose that we somehow merited (or merit at this time) His sacrifice, we are deluding ourselves. The fact that Jesus died for us means that we needed Him to do so. Nothing changes after we come to Him. We are still fallen, and we continue to fail Him. It is one thing to acknowledge grace, and it is another to ignore why we were given grace.

Let us have a right and proper attitude as we come to the table. Let us examine ourselves. And then, when we have examined ourselves, let us eat of the bread and drink of the cup. May it be so as we remember His death until He comes.

Lord God, Jesus has come to restore us to You. This means we needed restoration. Jesus came to save us. This means we needed to be saved. May we never assume that we have merited or will merit what He has done. Rather, may we accept the offering as grace, understanding that grace is unmerited. It is so in our initial salvation, and it is so in our state of salvation. Thank You for the grace You have poured out on us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.