Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 8
Wednesday


EREV YOM
KIPPUR

READ:
Matthew 5:21-26
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First be reconciled to
your brother, and then
come and offer your
gift. __Matthew 5:24
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In Judaism, the holiest day of the year is Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. On that day, the nation seeks God's forgiveness for sins both personal and national.

What is interesting, however, is the day before Yom Kippur, known as Erev yom Kippur. It represents a person's last opportunity to seek forgiveness from other people before Yom kippur begins. This is important because, in Jewish thought, you must seek forgiveness from other people before you can seek the forgiveness of God.

Today, we are called to do the same. Jesus pointed out that in order to worship Him with all our heart, we first need to resolve matters with others. In Matthew 5:23-24, he said, "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

Even in a matter so basic as our giving, the ability to truly worship God is hindered by the reality of relationships broken by our wrong actions, attitudes, and words.

So that our worship can be pleasing and acceptable to God, let us make every effort to be reconciled to one another__today. __Bill Crowder
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``````````````````Have you hurt a friend or brother?``````````````
``````````````````Go at once and make things right;```````````````
```````````````From your heart say, "Please forgive me,"```````````
````````````How these words bring God delight! __D. De Haan```````
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An offense against your neighbor
is a fence between you and God.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 5:21-26**********

21 "You have heard that it
was said to those of old,
'You shall not murder, and
whoever murders will be in
danger of the judgment.'

22 But I say to you that
whoever is angry with his
brother without a cause
shall be in danger of the
judgment. and whoever
says to his brother, 'Raca!'
shall be in danger of the
council. But whoever says,
'You fool!' shall be in
danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if you bring
your gift to the altar, and
there remember that your
brother has something
against you, 24 leave your
gift there before the altar,
and go your way. First be
reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer
your gift. 25 Agree with
your adversary quickly,
while you are on the way
with him, lest your
adversary deliver you to the
judge, the judge hand you
over to the officer, and you
be thrown into prison.

26 Assuredly, I say to you,
you will by no means get
out of there till you have
paid the last penny."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

As Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount, he was issuing a
strong challenge to a generation that had become performance-
oriented in their religious experience. He sought to move them to
higher ground and to issues of the heart and attitude instead of
mere deeds. In verse 21 we see this as He reminds them of the evil
of murder, but then in verse 22 He drills down deeper to the heart
of anger. __Bill Crowder