In the Old Testament, God gave his chosen people ten commandments (Exodus 20) to guide their lives. These commandments served as a model, demonstrating what the world would look like if people followed God’s principles.
Centuries later, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on believers, the apostle Paul wrote about the “fruit of the Spirit.”
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
These are positive qualities cultivated within those guided, filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Just as with the Ten Commandments, imagine the positive transformation of the world if all of Jesus’ followers embodied these virtues.
The Ten Commandments and the Fruit of the Spirit offer guidance for living a God-centered life. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offered six examples of how external behavior needs to correspond to a God-centered inner life.
His first example highlighted the issue of murder and a person’s thoughts and words.
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’
“But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment, 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” (Matthew 5.21-22).
The sixth commandment prohibits murder (Exodus 20.13).
Jesus goes deeper than the physical act of murder. He emphasizes the internal state of someone who harbors anger or resorts to insults.
Here is an interesting thought. The punishment for murder is capital punishment in the earthly realm, yet Jesus suggests that even anger and insults can lead to a more severe consequence – Gehenna.
Gehenna refers to the Valley of Hinnom, located outside the city gates of Jerusalem. It had once been the location of child sacrifices to Molech.
It is believed during Jesus’ day to have been a garbage dump where fires burned night and day, serving as a perfect illustration of the destruction of those who refuse to serve God.
Another word that is sometimes confused with Gehenna is Hades. Hades is not hell as we think of eternal punishment, but rather the realm of the dead. Modern translations correctly differentiate between these two terms.
Sadly, many who claim to follow Jesus often overlook this teaching from his Sermon on the Mount. In our polarized nation, anger flares quickly, and insults become our weapons against those who differ from us.
Jesus’ Radical Message of Forgiveness
The majority of Jesus’ teachings occurred in Galilee, roughly 150 miles from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religious life where offerings were made at the temple.
Consider the radical nature of Jesus’ message on forgiveness. If someone truly followed Jesus’ words, they might need to interrupt their pilgrimage to the temple, travel 150 miles to reconcile with someone they wronged, and then return to Jerusalem to present their offering.
This highlights the profound importance Jesus placed on forgiveness.
“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” (Matthew 5.23-26).
The Door to Freedom
Forgiveness and reconciliation are the doorway to freedom. When we hold onto unforgiveness, anger, and insults, it’s like slamming that door shut. We not only shut out the other person, but we also become prisoners of our own negativity.
However, choosing forgiveness is like unlocking the door. We not only allow the other person back in, but we also liberate ourselves from the prison we’ve built.
Forgiveness opens us up to a level of freedom only attainable through that act.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 