Hello everyone, welcome back.
My name is Elise Brooklyn and this is Scattering Flowers, a podcast where we scatter flowers of faith.
Today is Thursday, June 13th and we will be reading Matthew 5, 20-26.
Follow along in your Bible if you have one.
Now let’s read Matthew 5, 20-26.
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
You have heard that it is said to the men of old, you shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.
Whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, You fool, shall be liable to hell of fire.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go.
First be reconciled to your brother and then come offer your gift.
Make friends quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand over to the judge.
The judge is the guard and put into prison.
Truly I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
Here’s something to think about.
Would you want to learn from someone who calls you names, makes fun of you, is so angry at you that they can’t forgive you, stops being friends with you to be friends with other people, but then tries really hard to make you think what they have to say is really important?
Would you ever listen to that person?
I sure wouldn’t.
Jesus is telling his disciples to not do those things because he wants people to be able to hear what the disciples have to say.
The same way Jesus instructs work for his disciples, they can work for us too.
We can encourage others with our words, forgive others, and share God’s love with people around us.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, dear God, thank you for Jesus who teaches us to live better.
Help us to show others what God’s better way looks like, just like Jesus and the disciples did.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
I’ll be back tomorrow scattering more flowers.
See ya!