In yesterday’s post (Matthew’s Lessons on Forgiveness), I explored three points about forgiveness from Matthew’s Gospel:
Forgive:
- and keep on forgiving
- because you’ve been forgiven
- because that prepares you to receive forgiveness
Today, I want to dig a little deeper, into the connection between forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing.
As Proverbs notes, “For the churning of milk produces butter, and pressing the nose produces blood, so the churning of anger produces strife” (Proverbs 30:33). The Old Testament concept of peace (shalom) involves reconciliation with God and with our fellow man. Not surprisingly, Jesus’ teaching confirms the connection between forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing.
Matthew 5:21-24
“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MURDER,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Two things stand out from this passage. First, Jesus is talking about remembering that someone “has something against you.” He’s not talking about you “having something” against someone else; you’re supposed to forgive others before you come to God in prayer. I discussed this in yesterday’s post, particularly the section dealing with the Lord’s prayer. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” No, what Jesus is saying goes beyond that. He tells us that if we come to offer our “gift” at the altar and remember that someone has something against us, we need to go and be reconciled to them.
So what does that mean? I think it means that if we know that someone has something against us, we need to go and seek their forgiveness. Jesus does not say, “If you have wronged someone else.” It should go without saying that if we hurt someone else, we should ask their forgiveness. Perhaps it’s just a misunderstanding; if we go to them, we may be able to clear it up.
But what if they won’t forgive us? That’s the second point from this passage. When God nudges us, we go to them and seek their forgiveness. And if they refuse? “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18). “If possible” – sometimes, it won’t be. You’ve been obedient to God; you’ve gone to them and tried to be reconciled. “As far as it depends on you” acknowledges that it’s not always within your control. As the old saying goes, “It takes two to tango.” The Holy Spirit will guide us – not only when to seek reconciliation, but also when to stop. As we learn to hear and follow the Spirit’s direction, we come to trust God’s plan – and God’s timing. But when we’re obedient, we experience God’s peace, and the healing that comes with it.
Reconciliation and Healing Are the Marks of God’s Kingdom
John the Baptist Questions Jesus
In Matthew 11, John the Baptist is in prison. Matthew tells us that John “heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?’”(Matthew 11:2-3). It’s easy to be critical of John. Why would he doubt Jesus? He’d heard God’s voice at Jesus’ baptism: “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
But Jesus’ message, and His actions, were different than John expected. John came preaching “fire and brimstone,” warning everyone to repent. He talked about God’s judgment; Jesus talked about God’s love. John separated himself from everyone, going out into the wilderness. Jesus walked among the crowds, and hung out with “tax collectors and sinners.” It’s natural for us to ask questions when there seems to be a disconnect between what we expect and what we experience.
The Marks of the Kingdom
Notice, though, that Jesus doesn’t scold John, doesn’t bemoan his lack of faith or understanding. Instead, He reminds John of what Scripture says about God’s Kingdom. “Go and report to John what you hear and see: those who are BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. And blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me” (Matthew 11:4-6).
First, a note: in the NASB translation (which I’m using here), New Testament quotations from the Old Testament are rendered in capital letters. The phrase BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT comes from Isaiah 35:5. (That passage also talks about the lame walking and the deaf hearing.) The second phrase, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM comes from Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord anointed me to bring good news to the humble. Interestingly, this was the Scripture that Jesus used in His first message in Capernaum (see Luke 4:16-21), proclaiming the theme of His ministry.
So, what Jesus tells John is that healing and reconciliation are at the heart of the Gospel message – the Kingdom of God that both John and Jesus came to announce. The connection between repentance and forgiveness on the one hand and healing and reconciliation on the other is no coincidence.
Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Healing
This is not simply a “Christian” view, or even a “religious” one. If you search information about a connection between unforgiveness and bitterness and health, you will find articles from (among others) Johns Hopkins (Forgiveness: Your Health Depends on It) and the Mayo Clinic (Forgiveness: Letting Go of Grudges and Bitterness). For Christians, this is a reminder that Scripture does indeed reveal God’s best for us. When God calls us to forgive one another, it’s not just for “their” benefit; it’s what’s best for us!
Have you experienced the benefits of forgiveness and reconciliation? Do you have any questions or insights on this subject? I’d love to hear from you,
please leave your comments below!
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