What is meant in Matthew 5:24 about leaving your gift at the alter?

Jesus, in Matthew 5-7, is showing what the kingdom would be like, once it was established.  More to the point, what kind of person would make up the kingdom of God?  He used the existing law of Moses, which they already knew, to make His point. Paul makes the point in Romans 8:29 about being predestinated to be conformed to the image of God’ Son.  It is not the individual but rather the type that is predestined.  We learn from the Old Testament valuable lessons on which we build our hope (Romans 15:4).

Under Moses, the brazen altar was where the Israelite brought his animal sacrifice to make things right between him and God.  The day of atonement was once a year in which the high priest would take the blood of animals back into the Holy of Holies in October.  However, during the year, the Israelite would come as often as necessary to make amends through animal sacrifices for his sins.  Under Christ we are shown that the blood of animals could not take away sins (Hebrews 10:1-4).  Because of the blood of Christ, those acts of obedience would result in the Israelite believing he was forgiven.

Jesus in the passage in Matthew shows the connection to truth under His law (Galatians 6:2).  Acts of worship toward God are negated if the life of the worshiper is not in accord with God’s will.  The Christian must continue to walk in the light (I John 1:7).  Attempting to worship God, when one knows his fellow Christian has aught against him, leads to unacceptable worship.  Comply with God’s will in your life then God will accept the worship.  Once more, Jesus is showing how Christian people would live, once His kingdom was established.


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