What Jesus Did! 'Murder!' — Matthew 5:21-22

Friday, February 21, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell."
— Matthew 5:21-22 NLT

Key Thought

As religious people, it is so easy for us to feel pious and righteous when we hear of all the horrible, ungodly things done in our world. We can smugly think to ourselves, "Thankfully I don't do those things!" Jesus shatters all of our smugness. He tells us that he wants our righteousness to exceed that of the Pharisees and teachers of religious law in his time. He really means it. The next several verses will drive this point home. The character of heart described in the Beatitudes is now demanded of disciples in our everyday lives. There's no room for smugness when Jesus tells us that angry hatred, slanderous gossip, or shaming speech puts us in the same category as murderers. His point? Murder starts in the heart and works its way out. Hatred and murder are part of the same continuum - different by degree, not by kind.

Today's Prayer

O Lord, purge from my heart all bitterness, hatred, and venomous anger. Give me your Spirit of forgiveness and grace. I want to be pure in heart and hold nothing against those you love. Father, I don't want to poison my heart with the stains of Satan's tools of anger, judgmentalism, and disrespect. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Going Deeper than the Old Commands
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, Today's message is very important because many in your religious world turn grace into an excuse to do whatever they want rather....."

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 5:21-22 NLT — "You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, February 21, 2025

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
1 Chronicles 28:9
""And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'God of Surprises!' (Ac. 9:17)
"So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, "Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Dwight L. Moody:
"Remember, a small light will do a great deal when it is in a very dark place. Put one little tallow candle in the middle of a large hall, and it will give a..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 103:17-18
"But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep his....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!