June 1, 2026

Isaac Ruddle
"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 angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 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 5:21-24

As I seek to do justice to the 6th command, I am struggling to see exactly how it applies to me. I wonder why the command “You Shall not Kill” (Exodus 20:13) even has to be said; it is obvious in my mind that we should not kill each other. I then look at the history of man, even going as far back to Cain and Abel; hate, anger, murder, and pride have been evident in this world ever since the fall of man. I then think of myself: hate for my neighbor, pride for myself, and murder in my heart have been within me since the beginning of my life. I struggle each day in the fight of love rather than hate, righteousness rather than evil, and every day I fail. 

I look at these verses in Matthew 5 and realize that I am not exempt; when Jesus said these words, he was not diminishing the previous law, but rather calling us to a higher standard. He explained that having anger towards another person should be equated to murder. 

The new standard, the new norm that Jesus establishes here in the most epic sermon ever given, is a standard that is not attainable by our own human strength. I am broken. You are broken. Humanity is broken. And yet, for the joy set before him, Jesus came while we were still sinners and died for us, so that we would be saved. The sacrifice of Jesus allowed for someone to take that punishment that we deserved, the punishment of death. The question is then, do I live as though someone has taken the punishment for me? Do I live in repentance and choose not to hold anger in my heart because I know that I have been forgiven? 

Questions: In what ways does my heart hold hate and anger? What am I holding unforgiveness of? What is holding me back from surrender?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the cross. And thank you for the higher calling that you call me to. Purge me of what makes me angry and harbor unforgiveness so that I may love and forgive as you have loved and forgiven me.