I am a Jesus pusher!!! From our previous study, we proposed the following translation. “You have heard (in the reading of the Scriptures) that God said to the fathers: ‘You shall do no murder; the murderer shall receive the consequences of death, But I say to you: ‘Any man who is angry with his brother deserves death. He who says to his brother, ‘You blockhead!’ deserves to be condemned (to death) by the Supreme Court. He who says: ‘You idiot!’ deserves to suffer (death) in hell’” (Matthew 5:21-22). Jesus immediately moves to another aspect of this truth by saying, “Therefore” (Matthew 5:23). In light of eternal spiritual death, any slight indication of self-centered division between you and your brother requires immediate attention. The issue of the passage is “that your brother has something against you.” This passage immediately indicates that you were involved in some measure of what he has against you. It will never be resolved unless you try to reconcile with him by eliminating what he has against you.
In our passage, the first thought might be that you have been angry with your brother. Perhaps you have expressed anger by demeaning or belittling him. You can always justify or rationalize what you said; however, the severity of death involved in participation in such anger requires immediate reconciliation. On the other hand, you were not the one who dwelt in anger. Your brother may be the one who responded in demeaning language. You must address the consequences of death happening in his life. Whether right or wrong, this cannot continue. We must express the nature of Jesus! I am a Jesus pusher!!!