“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” - Matthew 5:23-24 (NASB)

Jesus here highlights the importance of anger, in the few verses before he compares it to murder as He quotes from Exodus 20:13. We find that murder is a manifestation of an evil human heart (Matt.15:19).

Jesus is simply addressing that the issue isn’t about murder alone, but it’s an issue of anger and hatred coming out of our hearts. He is saying you cannot justify yourself because you haven’t committed a grievous offense such as murder, but the hatred in your heart is of the same nature.

Would you offer worship to God and have unreconciled issues with a brother? Jesus says here your worship will be in vain, so reconcile with your brother and then come to worship.

How do we deal with anger against others? Jesus calls us to be active in seeking reconciliation with our neighbours. Even if they are the ones who have wronged us, we are called to take it upon ourselves to make things right again. After all, that is how Jesus makes peace with his enemies, us. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died to reconcile us to his Father (Romans 5:8). Grasping the love of God will mortify the anger in our hearts. So, ask yourself: with whom do I need to make peace with today? (cf 1 John 4:20-21)