Love Your Neighbour As Yourself
LENT 2023 | DAY 6
Matthew 5:21-24 (NIV)
(Audrey Ng, Chairperson, Children’s Ministry)
READ:
Matthew 5:21-24 (NIV)
DAILY REFLECTION:
As I was reading this part of the Sermon on the Mount, I am seeing for the first time that this part is titled “murder”. Jesus reminded the listeners of the 10 commandments that anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. The verse following it was even more sobering – the same judgment will be upon anyone who is angry with a brother or sister. This made me reflect on the times when I have been upset with my husband for forgetting to put his clothes into the laundry basket, upset with my son for insisting to play football despite the rain, and upset with my parents for not asking for help when they needed it.
In verse 22, the word ‘Raca’ in the dictionary means contempt, a strong word which means feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration, similar to scorn, disrespect, deprecation, detestation, disgust, hatred, loathing, denigration, and the list goes on. When I reflect on the angry feelings I have against my family members whom I love dearly, I am troubled that I do feel contempt for others’ choices and actions.
This leads to the next part – what I do when I am upset. Sometimes anger boils over and I utter harsh words and sometimes my facial expression of disgust says it all. Verses 22 and 23 remind me that I will be judged for my thoughts of contempt and actions done in anger, and that it is not lesser than the sin of committing murder. I should reconcile, make peace and forgive my brother/sister before I approach the throne of grace with my service or my offering.
From the dictionary, the opposite of contempt is respect. Although we cannot help being upset, I am reminded to respect my family members’ choices and actions, be thankful for the opportunity to serve them (picking up laundry, putting toys away) and to reconcile after an argument or disagreement. However, this is not humanly achievable without the help of the Holy Spirit and I pray for the continual renewal of my heart and mind resulting in the right words and actions, as I submit myself to the Refiner’s fire.
May we always remember Matthew 22:36-40, that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God, and to love our neighbours and family members as ourselves.
FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. What does it mean to love your family and neighbour as yourself?
2. How can we avoid allowing our anger to lead us to words and actions that will hurt those who are dearest to us?
3. What does reconciliation and restoration of a relationship look like? (Do we forgive and forget? Be truthful and honest? Show gentleness and kindness? Love and bear with each other?)
