I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you” (Matthew 5:23). The grammar is significant in Jesus’ statement. He begins with “if” (ean). The normal conditional “if” is the Greek word “ei.” The Greek word Jesus used is suppositional in intent. He did not establish a hypothetical situation that may happen. Rather He implied a condition that experience determines. In other words, you may bring an offering, and if you do, what will happen is what you will remember. Information about your brother will be given to you when you bring an offering to God.
Also, the Greek word “prosphero,” translated as bring, is a verb in the active voice, meaning you are responsible for bringing your offering. You must desire to receive divine grace and forgiveness from God and respond to His call to bring an offering. However, the Greek word “mimnesko,” translated as remember, is a verb in the passive voice, meaning the subject is acted on. You may bring your offering to God with a desire for divine forgiveness and grace, and if you do, God will cause you to remember your brother. He speaks to you about your brother. Your relationship with others will be central in communicating with God, and God’s message to you will be about your brother. He will act on you in this manner. Do I really want the mind of Christ? I am a Jesus pusher!!!