A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW     

BUT I TELL YOU (Jesus is speaking) 

Matthew 5:21-22 “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.” 

The daily devotion on Matthew 5:17 and yesterday’s devotion again quoting this verse is foundational to the point Jesus is making in Matthew 5:22, “But I tell you . . . “ Jesus was not just another Rabbi! He was not a self-appointed Evangelist! Jesus spoke His Sermon on the Mount as the Messiah, The Son of God, The One sent into the world by Yahweh His Father to speak the truth. He came to bring Yahweh’s word of hope, forgiveness, life, and salvation. Of this word Jesus said it was truth. (John 17:17) He came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10) 

Jesus amplifies the meaning of the fifth commandment. Under the umbrella of killing/murder there are other sins besides the actual taking of the life of another person. Jesus was saying in today’s devotional verses that you can murder a person with words as well as with a gun. There is a current behavior that is a prime example. It is bullying! Insults and derogatory statements against a person can effectively “kill” their spirit and can even lead to the end of their life as evidenced by the growing number of suicides in this country.   

It is, says Jesus, a grievous matter when a disciple of his “mistreats” a fellow Christian, or for that matter any other person. Jesus says we are to “love our neighbor.” (Mark 12:31) 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says we are to encourage one another as opposed to bully, insult, make derogatory statements. Luther says in his explanation of the 8th Commandment, we are to “speak in the kindest possible way” about our neighbor.   

Prayer: Lord Jesus, send Your Holy Spirit into my heart to lead and guide the thoughts of my mind, the words of my mouth, and all my behavior that all I think, say and do is in accord with Your will and for the good of my neighbor. In Your holy name. Amen. 

Lord of all nations, grant me grace   
To love all people, ev’ry race;  
And in each person may I see  
My kindred, loved, redeemed by Thee. 

Break down the wall that would divide  
Thy children, Lord, on ev’ry side.  
My neighbor’s good let me pursue;  
Let Christian love bind warm and true. 

Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred  
By loveless act and thoughtless word.  
Make me to see the wrong I do  
Will grieve my wounded Lord anew. 

Give me Thy courage, Lord, to speak  
Whenever strong oppress the weak.  
Should I myself the victim be,  
Help me forgive, rememb’gring Thee. 

With Thine own love may I be filled   
And by Thy Holy Spirit willed,  
That all I touch, where’er I be,  
May be divinely touched by Thee.  (LSB 844)