Crusty Scabs

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.  Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.  Matthew 5: 24, 25

Once again, we are to quickly work for reconciliation.  Not avoid awkward conversations.  Not scoot around the back door to make sure we don’t see someone.  And we are not only told to be at peace with our brothers, but Jesus broadens our world of clear relationships to our accusers, folks we don’t like so well who are trying to get us thrown into prison. 

I have to say, that Mr. Marco Penazzi understands this.  I appreciate how he simply digs into those sorts of conversations, even though sometimes it makes me a little nervous.  I sometimes, ooops, often, settle for a faux calm.  Not he.  Never to settle for superficial empty pleasantries, he pierces right through crusty scabs, to expose the rotten infection to fresh air and sunlight.  Not always so comfortable.  But healthy.  And as we see in these passages, how we are to behave in obedience.  And for our own good.  Who wants to be locked away into prisons of our own crafting: isolated, bitter, suspicious, ruminating over offences, real or imagined? 

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper and quieted the waves of the sea. Then they were glad because of the calm, and He brought them to the harbor they were bound for. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His mercy and the wonders He does for his children.