Reconciled by the Cross

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:21–26
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Reconciled by the Cross
Jesus exposes the depth of God’s Law: sin is not merely what our hands do but what proceeds from our hearts. Anger, contempt, and hatred toward our neighbor reveal a heart that has broken the Fifth Commandment long before violence ever occurs. Christ therefore calls us to take seriously the broken relationships sin creates and to seek reconciliation rather than nurture resentment. Yet this command also reveals our need for a Savior. We cannot make ourselves righteous by repairing every broken relationship or offering God enough good works. Our sin has placed us under judgment, and our debt is one we cannot repay. But Christ has paid it. At the cross, the innocent Son of God bore the judgment our anger and hatred deserved. Through His blood, God reconciles sinners to Himself. Having received such mercy, we are freed to forgive others and pursue peace, not to earn salvation, but because we have already been reconciled to God in Christ.