Readers Theater - Reconciliation
Matthew 5:21-26

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Part of a study on the Sermon on the Mount

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Faith of Abraham (Genesis 11-25)

READER 1 You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,
READER 2 and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'
READER 3 Don't kill
READER 4 Don't murder
READER 2 Don't do violence against your neighbor
READER 1 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
READER 2 Angry?
READER 3 Just angry?
READER 1 Yes, angry. Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
READER 2 A little anger never hurt anything
READER 3 Anger is healthy.
READER 4 Anger should be vented.
READER 1 Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
READER 2 Anger!
READER 3 Anger!
READER 4 Anger!
READER 1 Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' -- stupid head -- is answerable to the Council. [prounced RAH-cah]
READER 2 Empty head!
READER 3 Idiot!
READER 4 Moron!
READER 2 Just a simple insult?
READER 3 Is answerable to the Council?
READER 1 But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
READER 2 Hell
READER 3 No way!
READER 4 Not for just a simple insult.
READER 2 A creative insult
READER 3 People say things like that every day.
READER 4 Surely you can't go to hell for an angry insult.
READER 2 Can you?
READER 3 Can you?
READER 4 You can?
READER 1 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
READER 2 Perhaps you've insulted him
READER 3 Or offended him
READER 4 Or betrayed him.
READER 1 Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
READER 2 Interrupt your worship to repair a breach.
READER 3 Seek reconciliation before you presume to come to God
READER 4 Hypocrites can't fool Almighty God, can they?
READER 2 No, first go and be reconciled to your brother, and then come offer your gift.
READER 1 Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.
READER 2 You mean I shouldn't just bluff my way through?
READER 3 No, settle matters quickly with your accuser
READER 1 Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
READER 2 You mean I should seek reconciliation?
READER 3 Sooner rather than later.
READER 4 Quickly!
READER 1 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
READER 2 Reconciliation is safest.
READER 3 Reconciliation is the point.
READER 4 Reconciliation is the heart of the Law.
READER 1 First go and be reconciled to your brother.
READER 2 Reconcile first.
READER 3 For the heart of the law is reconciliation.
READER 4 And the spirit of the law is love for your brother.

All lessons now compiled as a 220-page book available as an e-book or printed book.

Part of a study on the Sermon on the Mount found at https://www.jesuswalk.com/manifesto/

Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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