MARCH 21
MATTHEW 5:23_Therefore, if thy bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberst that thy brother has ought against thee;
Don’t be confused about altars. When you come to Jesus’ salvation altar, come with your broken, bleeding, messed up life. This is the time to ask Jesus into your life. He accepts you just as you are. It’s Jesus’ job to clean you up. His full forgiveness is immediate. Then He begins the process to repair the breaks, bind the wounds, and sweep up the mess you call your life. This doesn’t happen overnight—but it does happen.
Jesus cleanses like DoveTM—He is not soap. He is a beauty bar!
The altar in this verse comes after your salvation experience. You are ready and eager to serve Jesus. You come because you want to be a part of the earthly kingdom of heaven. Now Jesus hands the broom to you.
If there are people in your past with wounds you’ve inflicted, Jesus wants you to repair the wounds as much as is possible on your part.
Possibly the Scribes and Pharisees didn’t like this teaching. They believed the Law had to do with loving God, not people. Jesus says the two go together. This is why the Scribes and Pharisees did not know the Messiah when they saw His miracles, or heard Him teach unconditional love.
Neither did they know Him when they slapped Him in the face, spat upon Him, or saw Him die in their place—and asked God to forgive them.
PRAYER
Forgiving God, Praise You that You take me just as I am. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Christ accepts me—He makes the necessary changes!
The Works of Her Hands 