Therefore, if thou bring thy gift before the altar, and there rememberest

that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar,

and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and

then come and offer thy gift. Matthew 5:23

 

       I’ve always wondered if the priest came and find gifts not laid on the altar but piling up in front of it? What if it was time to move the altar and gifts were still lying there? I’ve assumed the gift leaver went right out, was reconciled, and came right back but what if he didn’t?

     What if the one he offended lived in a distant land? Without computers, cell phones, land-line telephones or telegrams, reconciliation would have to happen in person. Travel was slow only happening by foot, either those of man or beast. So there sits the offering while Mr. Offender is making a trek across the desert. Hopefully the offended hasn’t moved thus delaying the reunion and reconciliation.

     Speculation: isn’t it fun?  I don’t think my thoughts are that different than the people of the day. Even if it wasn’t said, surely someone must have thought reconciliation wasn’t always practical. Jesus could have read those thoughts. The fact that none of these conditions is addressed means they are not valid. That is not the point. The point is obedience. Be reconciled. Make your peace with man whenever possible even if it seems unpractical.

       There: a designation of placement. We don’t have altars like they did but we are still to be reconciled before offering our gifts to God. We need to offer them from the alter of a clean heart, uncluttered by past offenses around the base of the alter.

       There where you remember your offence is where you begin the reconciliation.