Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. … And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

- from Matthew 5:22-24

Jesus is calling us to be reconciled.

In today’s passage, he gives us a compassionate “Why” for reconciliation. When we fight for reconciliation, we are protecting our brothers and sisters from calling down judgment on themselves in their exasperation.

Unresolved conflict leaves people emotionally vulnerable. Even if we’re okay and at peace, our brothers or sisters may still be struggling.

If we know they have something against us, we leave our offerings and go to them seeking reconciliation. We want to protect them, keep them safe and keep them out of harm’s way. We are committed enough to each other to want to protect each other.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve talked about pursuing personal freedom from the poison of unforgiveness. And unforgiveness IS poisonous. But it’s not just poisonous to us. It’s also poisonous to our brothers and sisters.

And sometimes these brothers and sisters will need our help in order to experience forgiveness. They will need us to initiate the reconciliation conversation. They can’t come to us in private. They’re too afraid or angry or embarrassed or wounded or unsure how we’ll respond. They need us to take the initiative if reconciliation is ever going to happen.

Reconciliation – like so much else in the Christian life – is not only about our own self-interest, but also about the interests of others.

Is there anyone you know who’s in an emotionally vulnerable place because of interactions with you? Take a minute to pray for them today.