We live in a violent nation. It is growing more murderous every year; a husband kills his wife in a fit of rage; a child’s life is ended by a stray bullet fired by a gang member, or a robber shoots a clerk for the few dollars in the cash register. Senseless! In 1963, the year John Kennedy was assassinated; there were 8,640 murders in America. In 2022 there were reported 21,156 murders! The city of Chicago alone had 630 homicides last year. Compare that to the entire country of England which reported 696, and Germany only 211.
Jesus addressed murder head on. He pointed out that the Law of Moses said “Thou shalt not kill.” We know that murderers will not have a place in Heaven (Re. 22:15). Jesus added, “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Mt. 6:21, 22).
Christ taught that being angry with our brother was viewed in the same light as murder. Anger is the main fuel of murder. Cain “became very angry” and killed his brother Able (Ge. 4:5). Jesus said we must dissolve our anger, before coming to the altar (Mt. 6:24). Do you know of anyone you are mad at right now? “First go and be reconciled to your brother” (Mt. 6: 24). Christ’s teaching could greatly lower the senseless murder rate in our country.
-Dennis Doughty