Promoting Real Peace in Times of Conflict
by Lenn Zeller, Volunteer Director of Conference Care
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that 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 5:23)
Peace isn’t just a truce. General Douglas McArthur said, “A truce just says you don’t shoot for a while. Peace comes when the truth is known, the issue is settled, and the parties embrace each other.” What he was talking about was not just refraining from open hostilities, but resolving the issues and reconciling the relationship. Peacemakers don’t just try to stop conflict. They do something far more meaningful, something healing and restoring. They try to bring about reconciliation and relationship. (From Alex Huggett’s Sermon: Blessed are the Peacemakers, www.sermoncentral.com)
That’s what Jesus has done. Where we have lived with a chasm between us and our God because of our sin, He has built a bridge by His death and resurrection. He has created and offered a way for us to cross back over to our creator, and be forgiven and reconciled to Him.
And He calls us to be builders of bridges, too, and not builders of walls. Therefore, Jesus said, at verse 23 above, If you are standing there at the railing with your animal of sacrifice, waiting for the priest to take it from you to offer it on the altar, and just then you remember that some brother has a complaint against you, do not delay. Before another step is taken, even before the offering is presented — first go and seek reconciliation, and then come back and offer your gift to God.
These are heart matters. Jesus was commanding us to make absolutely certain that our hearts are cleared of anything that would separate us from others, because broken relationships hinder our relationship with God.
God knows our hearts. We can fool others and put on a happy face in public. We can deny our anger and resentment and act all “nicey-nice.” But God knows the truth. God sees deeply into our minds and souls. And Jesus was saying here that if we offer worship to God, while holding an offense against someone in our hearts, our worship is in vain. Our worship is hindered. Our prayers are hindered. Our relationship with God is hindered.
First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:24) First go and speak with them. Try your best to resolve it. Confess and ask forgiveness where you need to. Express your heartache and woundedness when necessary. But as far as it is up to you — settle it. The only one who is hurt by carrying it on is you. They may not even know you’re upset! But your peace of heart and your relationship with God suffer damage.
