We're currently working through the Sermon on the Mount in church services - this is a slightly truncated version of my sermon from Sunday where we explored Matthew 5:21-26 - all about getting on with each other and sorting out issues before they escalate beyond our control.....
A few times lately I've found myself staying up late watching the BBC Parliament channel and last week was no exception (and was the reason for me being a bit tired and grumpy the rest of the week). The House of Commons is an intriguing watch - it thrives on conflict, because its through discussion and debate that the laws that benefit this country are made. It is also broken by conflict as discussion and debate is punctuated by name calling and bad behaviour towards other MPs who disagree. Unfortunately, lately there has been more brokenness than thriving because, reflecting the divisions in the country over what to do about Europe, the House of Commons is in deadlock - the only way through it right now appears to be, in one sides opinion, a break and in the others, a complete overhaul on what is going on. It's like we've hit a brick wall.
There has been too much name-calling, muttering under breath and hiding of information and too little talking and resolution bringing lately, and as the conflict in parliament seeps out into wider society (and wider society conflict seeps into parliament) we see anger and violence escalate too quickly.
In Jesus' time people felt insecure (they were under occupation - they were going to be insecure) and when people feel insecure they are more likely to be jumpy and irritable and they react to things in ways that could be perceived as aggressive and nasty. Those perceptions escalate and get out of all proportion until either everyone is exhausted or something awful happens.
We live in a time of uncertainty and insecurity when it comes to our own country's future.This leads to uncertainty and insecurity in our own lives. Last week the government were forced to release their 'yellowhammer' documents detailing the consequences of a no-deal Brexit and it made it clear how insecure and uncertain the times we are living in are. We need to watch ourselves and how we behave during this time, because as our lives change, our reactions will reflect the uncertainty we feel.
Once we get through this time of uncertainty, whatever the result, I hope that we might see some light at the other side. I hope that we might begin to see some new life. I hope..... I'm not sure that will happen for a long time, but that's my hope. We've got to work at transforming conflict from being something toxic and life draining into something beautiful and life giving. It might seem impossible at the moment.
In a country where a 52-48 split divides us, how can we sing the Lord's song and bring about the transformation that Jesus calls us to as we follow him and seek to live out his Kingdom values?
Blessed are the Peacemakers.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus takes the Jewish law and shows that it points to a new way - the way in which Jesus is the pioneer and makes possible and encourages alternative patterns of behaviour that will make this world a better place.
In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus takes that commandment 'you shall not murder' and he expands it out - this isn't just about murder, it's about never getting to the point where you are anywhere never even contemplating murder. It's about not getting to that place where relationships are so broken that we find it impossible to find a way through. It's about intervening in our own anger before it becomes life destroying. He talks about the smouldering anger that we find difficult to let go of.
We can be released from that smouldering anger, but we need to choose to let it go - stop letting it define us, and be released from its fire. This doesn't depend on the other party's reaction to your move towards forgiveness - that's up to them, but it depends on you preparing to go there and change your heart.
Because if we don't, it only escalates, and the anger that is internalised comes out from our mouth. And that doesn't sound good. We begin name calling, calling others stupid or naive..... and far worse. We get consumed by our anger and then think everyone who disagrees with us is an idiot not worth making time for. The name calling turns bad and it turns to aggression and we think irrationally that everyone is out to get us and we carry weapons just in case and one day our anger overflows and that commandment 'do not murder' gets broken.....
We see it happen in our communities.
So what do we do? How can we change?
Jesus gives practical advice - simply try and deal with issue, but do it sensibly. Face up to what is bothering you. Seek reconciliation and work through the conflict instead of running away from it or talking about it behind one another's back. We've got to work at making relationships work. Deal with the issues now and don't let them fester. Aim to make friends and not enemies - otherwise what will happen?
Bitterness breeds bitterness and creates a toxic environment. Quarrels are passed over too.... families and churches have been split for generations because of the kind of things Jesus talks about. To get out of this pit of anger and bitterness, it may be that we, even if we believe we are the ones that are in the right - even if we are the ones in the right, need to make the step towards reconciliation first.
We might read Jesus' advice and think about our own situation and the hurt that has been done to us, the broken relationships that feel like they are not mendable and the pain of even contemplating doing something about it and wonder how it is possible to live out what Jesus teaches here. Yes it does seem impossible......
Until we look at Jesus - who embodied everything he taught about murder and anger on the cross - for where we can't be reconciled he reconciled all - look at how Jesus forgave - he died for all - and he also shows us what we need to do even if the person we are trying to forgive is not able to accept our forgiveness. Jesus forgave once and for all. To let go of the smouldering anger that burns where we can't reconcile, perhaps the next step in letting go and being free from the chains that bind you is to hand that burden to Jesus, who takes your anger, takes the sinfulness of your oppressor, and has already died for you under its load. He will take that load for you and he will deal with it and he won't let you fester and will help you to unravel all that is churned up inside.
Live in a way that leaves you at peace with all. Walk in the way of forgiveness and reconciliation.
"Is is for freedom that Christ has set us free" - Galatians 5:1a
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